Hi Gang, In case it can help any other LX90 owners, I want to pass on
my recent results of repairing my scope. My year 2000 vintage LX90
developed a grinding noise and jerkiness in the azimuth (RA) drive.
Following the excellent directions from Janet Miller
(http://m1.aol.com/kewtasheck/ <http://m1.aol.com/kewtasheck/> ), I
disassembled the azimuth base and determined that the problem was in the
worm gear mechanism itself. I found that the bearing furthest from the
motor gearing was bad. This would not have been my first guess, as I
was hoping to find some other binding that could be resolved by an
adjustment. Upon investigating with my local Meade distributer,
Meade's service personnel, and Dr Clay, I learned that Meade is no
longer selling any internal parts, only offering to take scopes in for
their repair. Not willing to give up my scope to the risks and expense
of shipping, and unable to replace the whole drive unit as I would have
preferred, I had to find a source for the individual bearings. Jan's
directions went up to the point of removing the drive unit and opening
the housing. Taking apart the worm drive shaft is not for the faint of
heart, as removing the rolled pin without damaging the soft worm gear or
bending the shaft is a challenge. Once done, I was able to confirm my
diagnosis and measure the 2 bearings for the worm gear. I found
replacements from McMaster-Carr, selecting #57155K373 for the failed
lower bearing (0.375"OD x 0.187" ID x 0.125" thickness), and #57155K319
for the flanged upper bearing of the same size. I wanted to replace
both as long as I had it apart. They were each under US$6.50. I
received them within 48 hours. Reassembling the worm shaft was also a
delicate process, but the results were well worth it. After adjusting
backlash and re-training the scope, it tracks like new. My scope was
out of commission for 2 days, and the whole process cost under $25
including a spare set of bearings in case I ever need them for the
altitude axis. I could be wrong, but the new bearings look and feel
like they might be a higher quality than the originals. Thanks to Jan
Miller, Dr Clay, Skies Unlimited (http://www.skiesunlimited.net/
<http://www.skiesunlimited.net/> ), and McMaster-Carr
(http://www.mcmaster.com/ <http://www.mcmaster.com/> ), but no thanks to
Meade, I am back in action with my favorite scope and a happy camper.
If anyone has any questions about my repair not covered here, ask away!
Wayne Reed http://mysite.verizon.net/wayne1026/main/astrophotos.html
<http://mysite.verizon.net/wayne1026/main/astrophotos.html>
<http://mysite.verizon.net/wayne1026/main/> PS - my latest Saturn
picture was done despite the bad bearing bouncing the planet all over my
webcam. Now that it is repaired, I will probably not get as good seeing
as that night provided.


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