Perhaps this has been answered in the past archives. If so, and someone could point me to the post, I'd appreciate it. The question is: I have a Century graphic with a sticky rangefinder (when I focus from far to near, the rangefinder secondary image lags a bit, then snaps up). How can I clean what I assume to be congealed lubricants from the rangefinder? After cleaning, do I need to re-lubricate? Is there anything to look out for, such as springs that will fly off as I disassemble the mechanism? Thanks for any help. The Kalart I refer to is the late one, as mounted on the Century graphic.

Before doing any disassembly on the Kalart, and working inside the camera box next to the bellows, apply one (1) drop of lighter fluid to the coupling shaft at the bearing point where it comes from the rangefinder through the wall of the camera box. This should dissolve any congealed lubricant and free up the action. If not, remove the cover plate (housing) of the rangefinder, which is attached by four screws; nothing will fly. This will expose the moving parts inside the housing, to the bearing points of which apply a single drop of lighter fluid, being very careful not to get any on the glass surfaces. Hopefully this will be sufficient to free up whatever is sticking. Now would be a good time also to clean the glass surfaces with lens cleaning fluid and lens tissue. The Kalart service manual (available from Finger Lakes Photo Books at:
http://www.photobooksonline.com ) does not provide for lubrication of any part other than the coupling shaft, but there are a few other adjustments you can try, as described in the manual, if the action still lags.