We have found that when the recievers get old they develop a reflection right next to the carrier causing the modem to lower the CNR level. What we see on the analyzer when you send back a carrier is a spike with a small reflection on each side of it, it looks like it is flipping you the bird. Another thing that has caused this is filters right on the input of the CMTS, try changing or removing them if you have them.
Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Winston Churchill
This is CABL.com posting #333231. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mbyQR