TchrMe wrote:
Bill,
Thank you for replying. I am talking about the main tuning cap having the
antibacklash double gear. The large pulley with the dial cord that goes only to
the knob has the mating gear. The large pulley shaft also carries the round
main tuning dial. I feel the free play between the gears with no dial cord
strung. Isn't what I call free play and backlash the same problem? Mike KF6KXG

I guess we're talking about the same thing. The two gear 'discs' should
be very tight together by virtue of the spring between them. You
shouldn't be able to very easily pinch them together with your fingers
and slide them back and forth. Should be quite tight.
But you mentioned 1/4" of backlash. I don't know that that alone would
cause so much error. If something else was binding or sticking it would
make more sense.
I'm wondering if a weak spring might cause more harm than no spring
considering that many radios don't use anti-backlash gears at all. Try
removing the spring completely as a test. With no anti-b at all you
MIGHT notice a tad but I wouldn't suspect as much as a pointer width
unless something else is happening.
GL,
Bill