[R-390] RF deck, points of clarification

[rbethman]

I think - and correct me if I'm wrong - BUT the methods presented so far 
will make it smoother to operate - BUT - absolutely will not resolve the 
issues of an old RF Deck with many years of use.  The instance that I 
have is one of the first Collins Contract R-390As.  The wear on the 
front panel said a lot.  I did NOT find this in my '67 EAC.

The issue that first bites anyone, is the wear on the sides of the 
gears.  Chuck please chime in on this!

I feel the sides of the gears, and I can feel that very slight "edge" on 
the sides of the teeth of the gears.  You can clean, degrease, and lube 
with any concoction you so desire.  The reality is, unless you take the 
gear train apart, gently hone the sides to remove that edge, then you'll 
never get that spin by one finger smoothness of the gear system.

I've worked on gears of many types and cuts.  When you have "split" 
gears with a spring to take up the backlash, and they have and edge on 
the sides of the teeth, you have to fix the real issue before all this 
lubrication.

Bob - N0DGN