Hi gonzo, the second link you provide is from my mount and i can assure you that it still runs at 0.9'' of guide error with my rc 8'', i haven't regreassed my mount for years and the only bearings i have not changed are the small ones for the worm gears. I am thinking of sending the mount to darkframe in order to change the worm gears for better PE and new bearings and grease but it is not at my top of the list. Best of luck with tuning your mount and don't be afraid to ask for help

Whats not correct? I can't remember having any significant issues.

I wouldn’t bother with darkframe, as there customer service is awful, and they don’t do any better job than you could do yourself, I know someone who,paid them a fortune, and when they got the mount back they had to spen two weeks adjusting it all, to get it to work, and Darkframe would not answer their emails to help...

there is one section which tells you to tighten the worm gear locking nut until it binds, then loosen slightly, well if you tighten till it binds, you risk damaging the bearing and distorting it..if you tighten that much.
It only needs to be tight enough to remove any lateral play...and no more...

The main lock nut above the weight bar also should only be tight enough as to remove any slack, and no more as it can cause a tight spot on the DEC axis...

I've started to dismantle the mount...




And I don't think this bearing is healthy...

Well if I am not mistaken, and I maybe, but is that not a tapered bearing, if so it will be loose until the collars is fitted and tightened..so the play you see is normal as you Have it apart..

It is a tapered bearing, the exact model is:
simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p14781/SKF-302...mm/product_info.html

If you put the white collar (where is the weight bar sticks out), it only put pressure on the inner part of the bearing.
When I say pressure, it's very light as in too light. Even with this, the bearing moves way way too much for my liking.
There is definitely an excessive play and there is a lack of grease.

just finished taking apart the mount now, the second taper bearing has some play but not as bad as this one. Definitely an issue there.

When you clean the bearings you'll notice they all have play and dont actually move that smoothly until you repack them with grease. But yeah, your tapered bearing in the video had a lot of play and looked like zero grease! Dont just grease them, pack them with as much grease as will go in. Theres a method for that I'm sure you can find on youtube. Cheers

This after a few washes with hot water and soap, removed all the grease and dirt.

After this is after a first polish.

I'm happy with this result, might do another polish (maybe...)

I am really appreciating what you are showing us already! I look forward to seeing more of your procedure. Please document and share as much as you can Thank you.

how did you polish the gears?