Hello Wayne my friend,
As you may remember, I own both the AQ PT-8, which is now on a Denon DP-2550 Table, and the newer PT-9 which now resides on my HW-19 Table.
There seems to be variance with these cueing mechanisms. My PT-8 a couple years back began to drop too fast for my liking, the damping seemed to be gone, so I undertook the disassembly of the Cueing mechanism on the PT-8, snd re-built it.
The correct Allen Wrench, and a set of Jeweler's Screwdrivers were required to disassemble-remove the top Chrome Cap of the Cueing Cylinder, then one inside, you will find a Brass Piston, and a small coil spring, akin to a Ball Point pen Spring. When the Cueing lever is dropped, this releases the Cam then lets the Brass Piston fall, and is aided by the help of the small Spring.
Without some form of damping grease in the cylinder, acting as a cushion, (and I assume this is what dries up over time), the cueing mechanism then loses its nice smooth, controlled drop.
As has been mentioned, one can spend the $50, and get a new part, via Jelco, or re-build yourself? Drop me a PM if you'd like dicussing this more? Mark