[ramsey321]

Ok guys, I am having a problem with my Z-axis or my spindle making noise mostly when it is starting to feed down in the Z but it also does it when I first start up the spindle. It is pretty load also. I thought it had something to do with the spindle belt but that looked good. The noise is intermitten, it is as quit as a mouse sometimes but then gets pretty load other times. I am trying to find the problem. Thanks

[underthetire]

Could be the bearing assembly at the top of the splined drive. Could be the actual spline pulley as well. Is it a rattling noise?

[ramsey321]

Yes it is coming from the bearing at the top of the machine. I looked at the bearing and thought it was ok from what I could tell. I also noticed a small gap between the plate shown at the top of top of the machine and the top of the bearing. I am thinking that the bearing should be tight against the plate but it isn't. This is causing the bearing to move when the Z is moving up and down. Solution might be to install a small spacer to make the bearing tight against the plate so it doesn't move. I saw the pulley moving up and down about .25" when the Z-axis would move up and down. What are your thoughts. Thanks for your help

[underthetire]

Think you need to take it apart. Been 7+ years now, but I'm pretty sure those are taper contact bearings, the pulley should not move up and down at all. Not that tough to get it off at all. And grease the splined shaft with cv joint style grease. I know it calls for lithium or ep2, but the cv joint grease doesn't fly off as bad.

[ramsey321]

ok thanks. I took the plate off and looked at the bearing. It looked good to me, but I did notice that there was a gap small gap between the top plate and the top of the bearing. I saw the bearing move a little so I am thinking I need to install a small spacer to make the bearing tight to the top of the plate. This will keep the bearing tight. Not sure why it is loose. What are your thoughts?

[underthetire]

Can you post a picture?

[ramsey321]

You cant see the bearing from these photos but I was able to get about .120" worth of feeler gages in between the top plate and the bearing. So it is missing some sort of spacer I think. I am not sure why it is like this. It might have not been put together properly years ago after the spindle was rebuilt.Attachment 196702Attachment 196704Attachment 196706