Bushnell Sportview 3x9x32 objective ring hard to turn

[wahoowad]

The objective ring is hard to turn on my Bushnell Sportview 3x9x32. It is about 11 years old and hasn't been rotated very often. I'm starting to shoot it more and noticing it. It does turn but is hard and I'm having to apply enough pressure to make me worried. Should I consider applying some kind of lubricant to the threads? My gut says adding lubricant to a scope is a no-no, but I'm also worried about the amount of force required to turn it. Should I just keep working it by hand? It feels like it is gummed up.

Otherwise it shoots OK!

[airiscool]

My 32 mm Sportview power ring is stiffer than the one on my 50mm Sportview. And it was alot stiffer when I first got it.
 
What I found is, there's a small set screw in the adjusting ring. On mine it was too tight and causing the screw tip to drag or bind inside. I backed it off about 1/4 to 1/2 turn, and no more because that screw engages the power adjusting linkage inside the scope. The ring should move more easily now. Then just re-tighten the screw only until you feel some resistance turning the ring. Put a drop of Locktite on the screw, let it soak into the threads a couple of seconds, then wipe off the excess.

Paul.