Waylube dripping from spindle

[ddgman2001]

After a month away I came back to a sizeable puddle of waylube on my table that's dripped from the spindle. I'd guess probably 10 ml (1/3 oz) in total. The bottom of the Z assembly has collected a lot of wood dust/lube mix which is the rust colored crap.

Mobil Vactra 2 wasn't available in town so I've been using Hangsterfers #2 which the supplier says is compatible.

Any thoughts or concerns?

Thanks.

[MattTheNoob]

Are you sure it's way lube and not hydraulic oil from the power drawbar? I don't know your specific machine. If it is hydraulic oil, STOP! Re-grease your spindle or have it done by folks that do it for a living. Not a trivial process. Oh, and fix the hydraulic leak before reinstalling the spindle.

[DareBee]

Ya - There shouldn't be any way lube that can get in that area.
I wonder if your Hi / Lo switching system isn't the culprit and in need of repair.

FWIW - if your shift cylinder is out of oil it makes one hell of a scary explosion when the belt blows at hi RPM

[ddgman2001]

Shifting seems fine, but I'll pull the tin this morning and check the hydraulics. I'm not looking forward to removing the spindle if that's what's needed.

[ddgman2001]

Pulled the tin off today.

Everything above the spindle is dry. Waylube was puddling up in front of the distribution manifold at the back of the Z casting and looks like it was migrating downward. Cleaned and tightened the fittings. Will monitor every couple of days.

There's a slight bit of moisture weeping from the spindle nose when running. We had moisture in the airlines in Feb so could be that or a coolant leak. I'll try the food coloring trick to test for a coolant leak.

Thanks for the input guys.

[DareBee]

Tool release cylinder would also leak through the spindle.
BTW - Changing spindle on the Fadal is very easy. Make sure you have heat for the pulley and measurements for seating it to the right height again.

[ddgman2001]

How would I check for that other than a visual inspection? I was thinking of changing the o-rings in the actuator just because.

[DareBee]

Never had a problem.
I would expect oil to be leaking through the spindle if it was

[ddgman2001]

I've got the leaks taken care of and the spindle has quit weeping. Re-lubing the bearings is beyond my abilities.

Is this a job that can be done by a local tech or would I need to send it out for service? I'd prefer to just lube the bearings at this point and run them until they get noisy before replacing them.

[dksoba]

What type of spindle do you have:

1) Greasepack
2) Oil mist
3) Air/Oil

I know the Air/Oil would normally have some spindle lube leaking exactly as you have shown.

[ddgman2001]

They're Grease pack. At least I assume so since there is no extra lube tank above the way lube tank.

[dksoba]

They're Grease pack. At least I assume so since there is no extra lube tank above the way lube tank.

What did the problem end up being? Leaking orientation cylinder?

Matt