First step in the plan is the removal of my added-in through-mount cabling.  I opened the access hatch and carefully removed:

• USB cable to the QSI camera
• Power cable to the QSI camera
• RJ-11 cable to the focuser motor

The other cables in there were installed by the manufacturer and I assume they’re OK.  My added-in cables were tangled, and I could easily imagine that they were contributing to drag.

I started re-cabling the mount with external cables run along the outside, and held in place by velcro straps.  However, I didn’t finish the job, as I was driven indoors by mosquitoes.  I’ll finish this job on the next available night.