The issue of "indexing" is a red herring, especially for these newer mounts.
I have scales on both my axes, so I always know the absolute position.
I think the current ring gear is hard anodized aluminum, which is harder than brass, and so won't wear out.
Even if it did, wear and tear is a part of everyday precision instruments.? This reminds me of the story of the machinst who is worried that their mill table is going to wear out in the center because that range is used all the time.? So he makes sure to spend 1/3 his time working on the left side of the table, and another third working on the right side, in the hopes that the saddle will wear in evenly.
If you really hated uneven wear, you'd slip the clutch 1/4 turn each session.
Despite the fake news propaganda that came out along with the "spring-loaded worms" (they're not), the RA axis should still be operated in a barely loose to somewhat loose condition and east bias so that only one side of the worm gear's teeth push the axis along.? This is for lowest friction.
For the DEC axis, I make sure to adjust / check the worm mesh before any long imaging session.? Assuming that the friction in the axis is low (mine is), then it will work fine for all worm meshes from barely tight to "obviously loose and rattly" given that the axis is also purposely unbalanced so that one side of the worm teeth do most of the work.? This will give the lowest backlash.
