I was taking my LX200GPS apart tonight to install some new gears, and discovered a problem with my EZ Clutch that I had installed about 5 years ago. The EZ Clutch consists of a rubberized cork gasket that fits into the dec clutch assembly to reduce the necessary clamping force.
Anyway, the gasket was squished, stretched, and deformed out of round, in places not making contact with the clutch at all. I assume this is just a product of age and the constant pressure involved in holding the dec locked. I'm glad I caught it before the clutch started to grab metal.
Has anyone heard of this happening before? I wouldn't say I crank the lock, but obviously there is enough pressure there to deform over time.
Yes, I have heard of this problem. A recall reading on a forum that the cork gasket should be flipped every six months or so. Don't know if this resolves anything. Perhaps only prolongs the inevitable.
