Maplenoll platter stability question

Hello Oilmanmojo,
Thank you for your kind response. Am I correct that a proper, unworn, center pin allows no side-to-side movement when fitted to the opening of the top plate? Or, does the pin act as a centering point and the spinning lead platter completely floats with no contact between pin and top plate? I hope this is understandable.

I believe I can have a friend make a replacement center pin for me. I also think I can find a Teflon rod at US Plastics. I've recently replaced the belt and the increased pulling has caused the side-to-side movement to be more apparent. I have noticed the periodic rubbing when the air pressure is reduced. I don't have a source to balance the platter, unfortunately. I have read the owner's manual and have "trued" the top plate's spindle by lightly tapping on it. I finally have a good source of high enough air pressure. So the centering pin is the last hurdle.
Thank you, very much, for the information.

Hello Oilman,
My friend did a great job and made a couple of center pins that fit perfectly. Now I want to clean some of the lower platter mounting parts and touch up the paint around the mounting area. I try and restore as much as possible when things are torn apart. My friend thought that the upper and lower plates might have been made of magnesium. They have a very smooth surface where they touch when no air is between them.

Thanks, again, for your helpful comments, Oilman. I also have the Ariande Signature so the base seems to be a "sandwich" of lead and synthetic countertop material. The long threaded screws seem to only thread so far into the lower platter plate, but I'll heed your recommendations. I cleaned up the thin washers that go underneath the rubber grommets they were stained pretty heavily. Then I'll touch up the black paint above and below the platter support surfaces.
I agree the platter air bearing surfaces should be cleaned only, the material seems already nice and smooth and most importantly flat. I've read about adding another bearing opening to produce a more even lift, but I don't feel I want to tackle that.
I've pretty much done all of the other cosmetic things I wanted to do. Now all that's left is the tonearm rewire, measure the total tonearm moving mass and put it back together and run a few tests.
Cheers!

Ah, the Maplenoll magic is back! Everything is setup and working beautifully. I have a few more minor things to do, but what great sound this table can produce! Thanks for your generous help, Oilman.