Figure 4. Using the two supplied screws, install the aluminum eyepiece rack in the predrilled holes about halfway down the left side panel of the base.
You can install the rack so that it can be removed, or you can install it so it is permanently attached. About halfway down the left side panel of the base you will notice two predrilled starter holes, about 4" apart. Take the black wood screws that come packaged with the rack and thread them into the starter holes about three turns. Then you can “keyhole” the eyepiece rack onto the wood screws and continue tightening the screws. If you want to be able to remove the rack, do not tighten the screws too tightly. Be certain that the screws are loose enough that you can lift the rack and remove it from the screws through the larger part of the hole. If you want to have the rack permanently attached, attach the screws tightly. (Figure 4)
Figure 5. Set the optical tube on the
“cradle” of the base so that the altitude side bearings on the tube rest on the white plastic “pads.” Position the telescope as shown so that it won’t fall down before the CorrecTension System is installed and engaged.
Placing the Optical Tube on the Dobsonian Base
Lift the optical tube and set the altitude bearings on either side of the tube in the “cradle” of the base. The tube will not yet be properly balanced, since the CorrecTension system has not been installed. Keep the tube positioned upright, as shown in Figure 5, for now.
Installing the CorrecTension (XT) Friction
Optimization System
To install the CorrecTension assembly, follow these steps while referring to Figure 6:
1.Put one of the black nylon spacers on a black Phillips- head screw. The spacer should be oriented so the narrow end seats against the head of the screw. Slip one of the
Screw w/ round knob
Altitude side bearing 
Spring 
Phillips head screw (black)
1/4" washer (black)
Pull loop Black nylon spacers
Figure 6. Close-up view of the CorrecTension System.
black 1/4" washers over the end of the screw. Now, thread the screw into the hole in the base side panel just below the cradle. The screw will thread into the preinstalled insert in the hole. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the bolt. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side panel.
2.Next, insert one of the screws with round plastic knob attached through the end ring of one of the springs. Slip a black nylon spacer onto the screw. Orient the spacer so the narrow end is closest to the knob. Thread the entire assembly into the hole with the brass insert in the tele- scope's altitude side bearing until tight. The end ring of the spring should seat onto the narrow end of the spacer. Repeat this procedure for the other altitude side bearing.
3.Attach a pull loop to the free end of each spring. Slide the loop through the opening in the ring on the end of the spring.
4.Now, pull each spring down using the pull loop, and posi- tion the spring’s end ring over the head of the black Phillips screw (installed in step 1) and onto the narrow part of the nylon spacer, as shown in Figure 7. You needn’t attach both springs simultaneously; one at a time is fine.
The CorrecTension system is now installed and engaged. If you wish to remove the telescope tube from the base, you will first need to disconnect the springs from the “posts” on the Dobsonian base. Remember to position the tube upright before doing this, or the tube will fall over. The springs will remain captive on the altitude side bearings, so they will not get lost.
Installing the Finder Scope
The SkyQuest XT4.5 comes with a high quality, 6x26 correct- image achromatic finder scope. (Figure 8a) The “6” means it magnifies 6 times, the “26” means it has a 26mm effective diameter lens, and the
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