Ouch !!!! a grinding noise from your IEQ45
, I have one of these mounts and did a similar thing a while ago , in a moment of brain fade , as I was taking it outside I took the counter weights off before the OTA ..
,, yea it took off and made the same " Grinding " noise . OUCH!!!
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My quick reflaxes saved the OTA from any damage as well...
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It caused no damage as I found out that the worm gear is spring loaded onto the ring gear and that realesed and made that horrible noise , I think its designed to do this , saves damage to either gear .
.. Yes !
Good observing report , I enjoyed reading it .
Brian.