Evening, had a similar issue with a CGEM 5 where it sounded like the motor was binding and would then stop, worked out that it was off balance (just) whilst close to the weight limit and only when near or approaching horizontal. Have a look at what your kit weight is adding up to and then recheck the balance. seemed to work out for me
W/O 132mm and 68mm MIZAR refractors with a NIKON 5100.