Skywatcher 130 mirror cell springs

[PeeKayHaitch]

I have taken the primary and secondary mirrors out of my Skywatcher 130 today to clean (it was a secondhand purchase, the previous owner was smoker and both mirrors had a dirty film over them and the tube was full of cobwebs) and I noticed that the mirror cell has what look like 2 rubber "O" rings stacked to act as springs. The rubber seems to be very hard and has little deflection when pressed. Can these be replaced with perhaps conventional steel springs or should they be replaced with the same type of "O" rings? Does anyone know where I could purchase such springs if they exist?

Many thanks in advance

Paul

[NGC 1502]

Hi Paul, you could use some double coil spring washers, more properly known as "thackeray washer" https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=Az_6xdm70NNTIRQAmdNNBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTIyZW4zaXVkBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM4MzNiZTYxYzdlYmYzMDA3ZWJjYTY0YWQ4ZTAzN2M5YQRncG9zAzIEaXQDYmluZw--?back=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.images.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3Dthackeray%2Bwashers%26fr%3Dush-mailn%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D2&w=280&h=180&imgurl=mgaguru.com%2Fmgtech%2Funiversal%2Fpics%2Fthackeray_washer1.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmgaguru.com%2Fmgtech%2Funiversal%2Fut129.htm&size=+9.1KB&name=%3Cb%3EThackeray%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EWasher%3C%2Fb%3E&p=thackeray+washers&oid=833be61c7ebf3007ebca64ad8e037c9a&fr2=&fr=ush-mailn&tt=%3Cb%3EThackeray%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EWasher%3C%2Fb%3E&b=0∋=128&no=2&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11dmi3l49&sigb=13jvai2to&sigi=11ngjb042&sigt=10u70fgec&sign=10u70fgec&.crumb=ahlGPuNDL.M&fr=ush-mailn

I have some in my shed.  I see you are in Essex.  Next Weds 30th July, Castle Point Astronomy Club will be meeting at The Castle pub on the A13 Hadleigh London bound one way system.  Let me know if you can make it, I'll let you have some for free.  Just ask for Ed, we are there from around 8.00 pm.

If not, PM me your address, I'll pop some in the post.

I've used these washers successfully several times in the past. The original rubber "O" rings are ok, but the rubber hardens up and is not resilient enough.

Regards, Ed.