2 - Synta HEQ5 - Lubrication & Re-Assembling the Declination (DEC) Axis This procedure will guide you in re-assembling the HEQ5 Declination axis and follows on from the stripping down and cleaning guide HERE. NOTE 1: Very little of the mount assembly requires brute force on tightning down components. They need to be firm but not so tight the threads pop. Generally a light touch is required rather than brute force. Remember this is a precision piece of engineering and many of the fittings are aluminium so threads can be easily stripped and ruined. NOTE 2: When this guide was originally written the accepted wisdom was that white lithium grease was an overall good lubricant. However it would appear that standard white lithium grease may cause problems under some extremes of damp/temperature. All of the mounts I have rebuilt have been done with white lithium that is stable and often mixed with a syntehtic like Teflon or PTFE. It is best to consult the manufacturer on the quality of the product.   Stage 4 - Re-assembling the Worm Carrier Lubricate the small roller bearings and replace them on the worm, then replace the worm in its carrier. Note: the worm has a longer spindle one end than the other.The longer end goes to the motor gear. Replace the float adjuster and tighten down. The adjuster should be just tight enough to stop the worm moving from left to right in the carrier but not over tightened. If its too loose there will be 'play' in the mount, if too tight the mount may 'bind'. Here is the assembled worm carrier. Its been cleaned and loose flaky paint removed. You can see the worm now has a thin coat of lithium grease. Note: The motor gear can be reattached now or left until later.The motor gear must have one of its set screws on the flat portion of the worm spindle.       Stage 5 - Re-assembling the Declination Axis Replace the bearing in the main housing. Apply a thin layer of lithium grease to its surface. Reassemble the brass worm gear with its bearings (you may need to tap these in with a nylon mallet) and replace the assembly onto the Declination barrel and shaft. Apply a thing layer of lithium grease to the gear and all bearing faces. You can also see in this pic the main housing bearing has had lithium grease applied to its bearing face. Replace the round nut in the Decliantion barrel. Tighten down using the long nosed pliers or a pair of small screwdrivers.       Tighten down the 3 deep set screws on the Declination barrel. Replace the worm carrier onto the Declination shaft. Replace the clear washer on top of the brass gear. Its almost insivisible in the picture above. Slide the declination shaft back into the main housing.         Replace the tapered bearing at the bottom of the main housing after lubricating it with lithium grease. Note If this wont push all the way in dont worry. As long as there is some thread showing on the Dec shaft for the counterweight collar. Replace the Declination scale on the counterweight collar. Replace the counterweight collar. Tighten this down using only hand pressure. Tighten it as far as it will go and then back off until the counter-weight lock lever is in line with the Declination lock lever. Note: The threads on this part of the mount can be very stiff - I applied a small squirt of WD40 to ease the threads a little.       Tighten the 3 set screws in the counterweight collar. Replace the cap head bolts (normally silver coloured) with just enough pressure to hold the worm carrier in place. Make sure the carrier is lined up with the mount. Note: The worm engamement will need to be adjusted this is covered in the guide HERE.  Replace the Declination lock 'brass button'.     Replace the Declination lock bolt. Apply a coat of lithium grease and hand tighten down. Replace the Declination lock lever and make sure it is free to move to both lock and release the declination axis. Replace the silver Phillips screw in the Declination lock lever.       Replace the counterweight bar into the Declination axis. Replace the dovetail mounting. Make sure the locking screws for the telescope dovetail bar are oppositethe Declination lock lever. Tighten down the dovetail holders 3 set screws.       At this point you will need to adjust the worm/motor engagement. This procedure is covered HERE. When worm/motor engagement has been completed proceed to the final step of replacing the motor covers.      Replace the plastic motor cover.  Replace the 6 Phillips screws in the motor cover.   The Declination axis is now completed. If you wish to strip and adjust the Right Ascension axis go back to the main page HERE