I re-attached the DEC-axis to the RA-axis afterwards, but then I had to separate them again, and because of this part...
...the telescope's saddle, and atop the DEC-axis. It only requires two bolts to secure it.
It turns out that the part of the saddle that overhangs the worm-assembly was pressing down on same, and interfering with the adjustment of the worm. Also, I could not spin the worm as easily, like I could with that of the RA-axis. In the end, I had to elevate the saddle...
All surfaces to be joined were rough-sanded, then scored...
J-B Weld steel-reinforced epoxy; with said epoxy in particular, perhaps with all epoxies, it's important to clean and de-grease the surfaces to be joined with 100% acetone. Never isopropyl-alcohol, but I do use the latter, 91%, for other...
Much improved, however, once I battened down the saddle afterwards, the worm still became harder to twist, but not nearly as difficult as it was before. No matter, for I can easily twist the worm now, just not as easily as that of the RA-axis. I think that the threaded holes for the saddle's bolts were not tapped true and square at the factory. I'm thinking that once the bolts are tightened, which they must be, a bit of flexure or warping occurs in that area.
Had this issue cropped up with the RA-axis, I would've been heartbroken, livid rather, and on the phone with someone. The DEC worm will only be operated with a slow-motion cable anyway, never with a motor-drive. I have never had a need for, nor will ever need, a motor-drive for a DEC-axis.
I do know this: my old Vixen GP-DX, RIP, would not have had this problem.