PMX+ worm replacement

Somnium (Aidan) · #1 18-08-2016, 11:13 PM

This weekend i will be replacing my worm gear on my PMX+, has anyone done this before? if so, should i clean then lube up the driven gear? and what should i use?

cfranks (Charles) · #2 19-08-2016, 08:44 AM

Hi Aidan,
I replaced both worms on my PMX within a few months of purchase and they fixed my problems. I would take the opportunity to clean and lube the new worm and wheels while you are at it although your mount is new enough and shouldn't need it. I used Lubriplate 105 as (I think) recommended by SB. I can't remember where I got it from but someone here should know a supplier. SB instructions/videos are usually excellent so you shouldn't have any problems changing the worm. Good luck.

Charles

Somnium (Aidan) · #3 19-08-2016, 10:10 AM

Thanks Charles, i did check out the vids, now looking for a good lube to use. preferably hat is readily available so i dont have to order and wait. even though the PMX is new i still want to clean it out and add new Lube, just to make sure there is nothing else contributing to poor tracking.

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #4 19-08-2016, 10:18 AM

I got my lube from a place in WA - I ordered it online (Atom Supply ) I think it's called.
ATOM Kewdale & Support Office
11-15 Mackay Street
Kewdale WA 6105
Ph: 08 9351 3601
Fx: 08 9351 3699

PO Box 1141
Cloverdale WA 6985

Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 8:00am - 12noon

Somnium (Aidan) · #5 19-08-2016, 02:47 PM

Anything closer to Sydney

PRejto (Peter) · #6 19-08-2016, 09:13 PM

Aidan,

I have some Lubriplate 105 if you get stuck (North Curl Curl). Yours if you want to drive over. We can squeeze enough into a plastic jar.

Be sure you have watched the video for the MX+ and not the original MX. They are totally different. If I were you I would follow the printed instructions over any video. The MX video, for instance, leaves out a very crucial step. It wasn't the poster's fault as it was also left out of the printed instructions (now long corrected, but the video lives on).

I think you will probably find that the worm comes freshly greased and is very clean. I wouldn't touch the worm at all. It sure cannot hurt to do the ring gear while you have it all open. Also, be sure you have the correct T-allen key. A couple of the bolts will be quite tight and you may need the leverage. And, don't neglect to cover all open holes into the mount with tape. If a bolt falls in you are going to cry.

Peter
0431 298 303

Somnium (Aidan) · #7 19-08-2016, 10:25 PM

Thanks Peter, will do. the video on SBs youtube site seems pretty straight forward, i will definitely cover up the holes. i got some automotive assembly lube from repco that should do to job just fine but thanks for the offer. the new gear itself doesnt have any grease at all on it, should i grease up both gears or just the driven gear?

Somnium (Aidan) · #8 20-08-2016, 08:43 PM

Alright, worm gear replacement done, and i am recording my tracking log and it looks much much better

Atmos (Colin) · #9 20-08-2016, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

Alright, worm gear replacement done, and i am recording my tracking log and it looks much much better

That's wonderful to hear Aidan! It is looking like the worm gear was the problem?

gregbradley · #10 20-08-2016, 08:56 PM

It seems its always the worm. Congrats on the successful replacement. You most likely will now have trouble free great guiding. Did you notice if the drive belt was grey or black? The grey ones need to be replaced with the black ones as the grey ones shed material which causes PE bumps.

I regreased the worms on my PME today and yes you have to do both gears, the worm and the large gear that meshs into it.

Greg.

Somnium (Aidan) · #11 20-08-2016, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

It seems its always the worm. Congrats on the successful replacement. You most likely will now have trouble free great guiding. Did you notice if the drive belt was grey or black? The grey ones need to be replaced with the black ones as the grey ones shed material which causes PE bumps.

I regreased the worms on my PME today and yes you have to do both gears, the worm and the large gear that meshs into it.

Greg.

Both the old and the new one have grey belts, i will keep an eye on them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

That's wonderful to hear Aidan! It is looking like the worm gear was the problem?

after my well documented HELL with this mount, i have gone from ~8" peak to peak with PEC trained to 0.9" without PEC !!! wow, i should be able to produce MUCH better images now.

gregbradley · #12 20-08-2016, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

Both the old and the new one have grey belts, i will keep an eye on them.

Just double check that I have that right. It may be the grey one is correct and the black one is dodgy. Sorry not 100% on that. In fact I think its the black ones that are the ones that shed thinking about it.

after my well documented HELL with this mount, i have gone from ~8" peak to peak with PEC trained to 0.9" without PEC !!! wow, i should be able to produce MUCH better images now.

Gee that's a massive improvement. I am shocked though that SB still has worm issues 3 years after the fact of first finding out about it. I guess its a cost thing and most likely made in Mexico or something where QC may not be their strong point. I wonder if the better worms are made in the USA?

Greg

Somnium (Aidan) · #13 20-08-2016, 09:18 PM

no idea, but it is just such a relief

Atmos (Colin) · #14 20-08-2016, 09:30 PM

That is an incredible increase! Bring on some long deep subs aye

Somnium (Aidan) · #15 20-08-2016, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

That is an incredible increase! Bring on some long deep subs aye

absolutely

Logieberra (Logan) · #16 21-08-2016, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somnium

Both the old and the new one have grey belts, i will keep an eye on them.

after my well documented HELL with this mount, i have gone from ~8" peak to peak with PEC trained to 0.9" without PEC !!! wow, i should be able to produce MUCH better images now.

Wow! That's low. Captured with SkyX or PemproV2? My MX had PE a hair over 7 (7.1 or 7.2 from memory) and SB very kindly sent me a replacement worm. Re belts, I'm pretty sure that the Mx+, with its upgraded motor/gearbox assembly, no longer uses the same black/grey belts as the original MX. In fact, I think the + now shares the same motor/gearbox assembly as the ME2? Beefy!

Somnium (Aidan) · #17 21-08-2016, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Wow! That's low. Captured with SkyX or PemproV2? My MX had PE a hair over 7 (7.1 or 7.2 from memory) and SB very kindly sent me a replacement worm. Re belts, I'm pretty sure that the Mx+, with its upgraded motor/gearbox assembly, no longer uses the same black/grey belts as the original MX. In fact, I think the + now shares the same motor/gearbox assembly as the ME2? Beefy!

i ran it twice, TSX gave me 0.9" PemPro gave me 1.6" but by that time the wind had picked up and it was playing a bit of havoc with my data capture. either way i am really happy with the results given that i came from 8"

PRejto (Peter) · #18 22-08-2016, 06:58 AM

Aidan,

Your results cannot be argued with! Excellent news. You are kind of brave to not use the SB recommended lubricant! I know of no other person that has done this. Hopefully that grease you used has similar properties and similar temperature range. And, what will be the life of that grease?

In any case, you now seem to own one of the best worms in existence. The uncorrected spec is astonishing. Or, maybe that special grease is really extra special....

Peter

Somnium (Aidan) · #19 22-08-2016, 09:42 AM

it definitely looks promising, i might not even run PEC. I am not too concerned about the Lube, it was the same type of lube that they recommend, just a different brand. it was vehicle assembly lube and it appears to be of a high quality with a good working temperature range (though that is not too much of an issue in Aus)