VPI JMW 10.5 damping oil question


I have another VPI JMW 10.5 setup question. I was experimenting with adding damping oil. According to the setup manual, I should fill the oil cup ¾ full such that it will not overflow when the arm tube is set in place. The underside of the arm there is a half-sphere object with a deep conic indentation in the middle. When the arm tube is set in place, the indentation sits on the pivot bearing so I assume the surface of the half-sphere should be immerse in the oil cup. What puzzles me is that no matter how much oil I add, even up to the rim of the oil cup, no part of the arm tube ever touches the oil. Is this normal? If so, how does oil damping work if nothing touchs it.
sidssp
Jackcob,

Yes. I am sure. I rechecked it about 10 times. Mike from Vpi told me the arm I got has the conic female bearing in the arm tube set too low, that effectively lifted the arm out of the oil cup. I was going to adjust the setscrew to lower the arm tube but I don't have the right allen key. I will do it this weekend.
Thanks for this thread. I just checked my arm after owning this arm for a couple of months now. I also set it up according to VPI on my Aries. There was no contact with the arm female part of the bearing so I increased the amount of damping fluid to within 2 mm of the top of the cup. Now when I lift the arm off I see the 1 1/4" of fluid thread before breakage. Miles Davis has improved in overall soundstage and width. Thanks again!