Only when ALL elements are centered are the velocity outputs valid. It is possible that no position will allow all elements to center simultaneously. Now you ve done it, gravity has changed too much for the poor sensor. This occurs when the sensor is operating at a substantially different latitude, like from 40 degrees north to 2 degrees south. An internal adjustment to the sensor can be performed to possibly correct this problem.
Later sensors incorporate a modified design.
STS-2 sensors are very sensitive to changes in temperature of the immediate surroundings. The induced thermal stress can also result in pinging which can take a few days to taper off. It is however, more important that the sensor be installed correctly than to beat the thermal clock. The sensor will eventually recover from the oscillations, it will not recover from the wrong azimuth. Planning the sensor installation for the early morning alleviates the circumstances somewhat.