How to tell if there is binding on the axis?

[BuyoTheAstroCat]

My first time doing adjustments on my AZEQ6.
I tried to remove the backlash on dec on my AZ-eq6, after PHD2 told me there was backlash there. and I have problem with other things that could be related.

I followed a guide on a totally disassembly but I only just used the part on removing backlash. I am not game enough at the moment for a total tear down.
Maybe after I have cleaned up the room and make some workspace.

I am pretty sure I have remove the backlash, and not have binding.

How do I know what binding sounds like?
I skewed it a whole round on the dec and ra and it sounds right. but I also realise I do not know what to listen for.

Help please?

[glend]

I suggest putting It on the tripod, with a load, and balance it in RA and DEC. Then with the clutches released, rotate it in both directions, feeling for any binding. Often binding comes from the clutch mechanism.

[BuyoTheAstroCat]

Thanks for the advice, I didnt realise that binding can be felt that way.

[oska]

The motor noise will sound inconsistent and bog down in the area of binding. Or, at worst, come to a complete halt and scream like a banshee.

[BuyoTheAstroCat]

No screeching of an evil fairy not any sound that is abnormal, so I guess I an safe.

Just need to bring it out to a park for a test. need to find a place nearby I can polar align and give it a quick test

[The_bluester]

I found with mine (Orion version of the same mount) that it needs to have a small amount of backlash or the dec axis would randomly stick. I picked that up when doing multiple nights on a single target, the guiding would be OK for a while then would wander off and stay off no matter how many corrections PHD2 applied. I found it needed to have enough backlash that you could just barely feel it if you wiggled the scope in dec.

I worked it out because I caught it doing it and wen out to the mount and took off the plate over the motors, I could see the Dec belt twitching as the motor was being stepped, but not moving the axis. It had been frustrating as I was losing one sub in three at least. It would go far enough off for Voyager to abort the sub for guide failure and the routine I had setup would re-point the mount to continue, so it would move the mount quickly and free it up (It would always slew OK, just not guide properly) and then it was pot luck when it would happen again.

TL;DR, if you can't feel a tiny amount of backlash in the axis it may stick at some point and dec can be worse than RA as ideally the dec will not move much, so it has stiction to overcome when guiding.