Focusing problem with meade LX10

All of Meade's manuals are on this web site:

http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

The LX10 is VERY similar to the LX3 --- look at the LX10 manual.

The knob had a tiny set screw on the side of it-- that tightened down on the shaft.

See if you can tighten it back up. If it is missing take it to a well stocked hard ware store and see if you can find a replacement Allen style set-screw.

There is a small set-screw near the focuser shaft. Is it tight?

Also you may need to open up the focuser and see if the gears are not stripped.

Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the TOP of the scope eyepiece holder.

Practice focusing on a distant object during the daytime. It may take several turns of the focuser know.

Also check the TINY setscrew on the side of the focuser knob. It may be loose and need tightening so it will GRIP the focuser shaft.

You can possibly buy another focuser from Meade here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Orion Telescopes also sell focusers here:

http://www.telescope.com/control/telescope-focusers

You can try calling Meade here:

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

The focus knob connects to a small "rod" attached to the mirror housing. The rod may have slipped out of the small hole in the end of the focuser (inside).

Remove the focuser and reattach the "rod".

It might be easiest to see if someone is selling one on Craig's list or ebay.  You might be able to find one used where the telescope is OK, but the motorized drive is broken and replace the telescope.
Here is the contact information for Meade:
Contacting the Customer Support Center     Customer Support representatives are available to handle your calls and letters regarding any Meade product 7:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To contact the Meade Customer Support Center, please write, call, or fax. Our information is as follows: 

Meade Instruments Corporation
27 Hubble 
Irvine, CA 92618

(800) 626-3233 (U.S.A. Only)


You could try calling them and see if they will sell the part you need for the focuser.  The focuser is called a rack and pinion focuser.  From your description it is hard to know if it is the long linear gear on the draw-tube (the part that holds the eyepiece) or the gear on the shaft of the focusing knob.  You will need to be able to describe that to them.
I hope that helps.

The focus knob can have the play reduced. Turn counter-clockwise a turn or 2, then loosen the knob's set-screw and carefully turn clockwise until a little drag is felt. Then tighten the set-screw.
A further item that may pertain to image shift, especially at low powers, is that the baffle tube that the main mirror slides on, may be loose in the back housing. There have been reports of poor thread engagement due to poor tolerences. That tube can be re-tightened - just be careful not to strip the threads!.

Try tightening the grub screw that fastens the knob onto the shft that it turns.

Better still, buy a flexible extended focusser which makes focussing much easier. Check on eBay for "Meade flexible focus"