How to reload a ballnut?

[bgolash]

Hi
Had a problem with the ball bearings falling out
of my 5/8 Nook ballnut. I had all the balls back in
and it seemed fine. Then in one direction it seemed
to bind. Does anyone have any tricks to reload this
nut. Also it looked like all the balls were in then about
5 walked out the end of the screw as it was turned.

Thanks

[buscht]

The reason that the 5 balls walked out of the end of the screw is that they were outside the ball return tube. The ball return tube has two little tabs that stick down into the groove of the ball screw. (One on each end of the screw.) The balls have to stay between these little tabs.

I have had success with this method.

Hold the screw up vertically. Slowly turn the nut so that it rides up the screw. When you start to see the balls, STOP. drop in a ball one at a time, turn the nut back and forth slowly until you work the ball in behind the tab.

It takes a little bit of finesse but is doable.