Yeah I wish someone knew how to open the backend I bet if we could see inside we could figure out what's going on tolerance changing with the clicking and taking on and off the back? Feels like I've tried fidgeting with it all i can
Back ends have opened all by themselves and parts sprung out all over the place. There have been some photos posted, but not many, as I recall. My guess is that it would be extremely difficult to re-assemble (they probably use some special tools/jigs), even if you did get it apart.
I'm also highly skeptical that, once the parts were spread all around, and with not much way to test them each for fault, that one could determine the exact condition causing multiple, diverse symptoms.
I have not. I don’t have any blutack and am on the fence if silly putty would do it. (Kids, what can I say)
I wipe it w qtip and doesn’t look particularly bad, but I should.
I don't have Blutack (3M product?) but when I went to hardware store I found Stik Tack, an equivalent product (from Dupont?). I use it on back end threads (both male & female) and mouthpiece threads (on the body, not inside mp) once every couple of weeks and it's remarkable how much black gunk comes off of the threads, even though threads don't really look too bad beforehand.
Hopper users do a lot of screwing and unscrewing. Lately I tend to change batts almost every load*; who wants to run down while out and about? I have come to really appreciate the feel and ease of threads on the SS units, especially when cleaned with the Tac. Mouthpieces can spin on with one flick and a little tighten up.
Ti threads invariably feel a little gritty, never as slick as on the SS.
*(I am keeping a lower profile these days, using external charger. For quite a while I used to just return Hopper to it's own charger between uses, but always keeping some batts charged and ready with the D2.)
Just a general note, I've found the best 'diagnosis' parts are from second, known-to be-good Hoppers. You can see right away if problem is in body or back end just by swapping things around. This (and some other reasons, like backup) makes me feel really pleased with my younger self for having purchased more than one when they were $135 US for SS...