Jiggle The Handle Theory

[Shakey]

I'd be inclined to think of the wheel as something that's threaded... lefty loosey, righty tighty.  Energy has been released as if through a valve and it needs to be closed back up.

[themaven]

I've always thought the donkey wheel reminded me of an old ship anchor wheel.. Like the island was anchored in time/space and when Ben turned the wheel he pulled up the anchor and dislodged them.
Weather or not they can drop anchor again, I'm not too sure of... But I think everyone needed to be on the island in order for it to work. since the O6 were in the process of leaving, or in transit it set things off center.

[PrincessLeia]

So the light flashes began when Ben turned the wheel and left the island. Since then the island or the losties have been moving through time.  What is this is just a simple case of having Locke go back to the Orchid to "jiggle the handle" to stop the toilet from running, ahem, I mean to stop the time jumps from happening?

Nice call!