I got tired of the volume control acting worst after a couple years and was able to fix it with no parts required. I was able to unsolder the encoder, open it up, wipe the darken lube from the 3 sets of extremely delicate fingers, wipe the dark lube from the race track, then reassemble and resolder. The lube is white but maybe the plastic rubbing on the OD and ID caused the problem. In any case it works flawlessly now and if anyone is curious it looks like you can still get the encoder from electronic supply houses like Mouser. The part is https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...lw%3D%3D&mgh=1

 

nice work @tomcas

 

Thank Lee. It would have been a lot easier to unsolder if I had a replacement encoder because I would have just cut the six grounding lugs that are soldered in thru plated holes and a real bear to suck the solder out of. I could have just cut them and pulled them out while unsoldering if done individually.