As Matthew and Karl had suggested, I was able to move the plate which
supports the "carbon rainbow" under the screws about a mm. This seems to have
solved my woes. The only problem I had was loosening the Phillips head screws
which had been loc-tited with some kind of pink glue. After almost giving up
on the one screw, I took my dremel tool, and cut a deep slot in the screw
head allowing me to get purchase on it with a straight driver. I hated to get
all the filings in there, but what alternative did I have, save to buy a new
AFM? After thorough cleaning (again) and reassembly (silicone latex caulk
dispensed with a glue syringe worked nicely) My bus runs like it did with a
mere 100,000 miles on it! Thanks fellows for your suggestions!

Brian Doss
'88 Weekender, Queequeg