Thanks for the suggestions. I already put it back together again w/ new grease b/c I may or may not ride it this weekend depending on the weather. (I will ride... and if it's rainy than this is the bike I will ride)

I currently have a 1mm cassette spacer installed to remedy a deficiency with the 1st gear position on the shifter when in index mode... and with this setup the chain is precisely in line with the small chain ring when the 4th sprocket on the cassette is selected.. so with this in mind I guess I'll go with the 118.