Thanks for sticking with this, Mark.
I don't think you got your sticks from us, but I have obviously seen a few similar complaints. Having never seen this type of thing before, I believed it to be a case of a new stick needing to be broken in. However, this appears not to be the case.
I will be contacting anyone who has purchased a HAPP 49-way from GGG in the last several months to make sure they haven't been experiencing this issue. Apparently they are not all like this, but if you have seen these issues with a 49-way purchased from GGG, please send me an email as well.
I have worked out a plan with the manufacturer to replace the grommets at no charge, but they will need the old ones to evaluate the problem, and to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Thank you for understanding that this was not our issue, but we will do what is needed to fix it for our customers.
RandyT