-- forwarded message, please reply to sender and MMD --

I am rebuilding a Weber Duo-Art upright player.  The rotary vacuum
pump is included in the rebuild and has a small thumping sound.  After
removing the cast iron connecting rod which seemed to have the most
play, I found the following three problems:

1.  The locking washer with the small tab in the center has been
sheared off.  This washer is found between the locking nut and the
bearing nut.

2.  The cone shaped nut with the bearing surface has a large groove on
one side only. This problem is also found on the bearing surface found
on the post.

3.  There are only seven ball bearings in the race, rather than nine,
in the problem connecting rod.

I removed the entire spider assembly from the center of the pump and
found that all of the joints will only move about 30 degrees or less
and bind badly.

Someone has worked on this pump who shouldn't have.  I need to replace
or repair all of these parts.  Has anybody had these same problems?

Can I find substitute parts to replace the bad bearing assembly?
Should I just purchase an old pump and go from there?

Pete Knobloch