Z axis ooppsss

[smittys800]

So,
I figured I would get all ready for my new thrust bearing install later this week on the Z axis, and tried as I could, could not get the NUT off. So, me being the overly smart one, I removed the screw from the nut, all in one piece, that is, until all the little itty bitty BALLS fell out of the nut.
So, to say the least, I am a dumb ( fill in the blanks ).
Now, anybody know the BALL count in the nut, and is it possable to re-install these little buggers, any pre-load.
Yep, you are more than welcome to let me have it.
Thanks for any help ,
Smitty

[Delw]

smitty
Don't feel bad, I did that years and years ago on 2 acrolocs, I called the ball screw company that made them and they told me how to do it and how many balls.

what every you dont DONT use any other ball bearings ever from another screw

[smittys800]

Well,
Called Kmac this morning, and they are going to re-load the Ball nut, and hopefully the screw is in decent shape, so I can save a few bucks this way.
They sure seem like decent people over at Kmac, will update the post once I get this back.
Smitty

[smittys800]

Little update...
Sent the Screw to Kmac. They said they could fix it, but would be a temp. fix at best, and since it was NOT getting any lube for a number of years, long before I got my grubby little paws on it, figured I'd man up and get a new one!
Good people over at Kmac!!!
Should be up and running again this week.
Smitty

[scadvice]

Do you know WHY the ball screw was not getting lube?? Poor past maintenance? Or some other problem that needs fixing? It might be good to know. I sure would like to know, as I have a simular machine.
Steve

[smittys800]

Actually,
The screw was LONG gone before I got my hands on it. At the upper grease junction, one line had a hole in it, so I repaired that. Once I had the Sheet metal off for the thrust bearing install, I noticed the line to the ball nut was pinched from the sheet metal, and it was the same line that had a hole in it.
So, maybe this was fate to repair.
So that is the latest,
Ball screw arrives tommorrow, so maybe I can get back to making some scrap!
Smitty