I think the Spindle bearings are shot

[Trilabite]

Hello all,

I'm running a Syil X4 plus. All is working but today I noticed when I hand turned the spindle there is a nasty grinding thats going on. I can still spool up to 3500 or so. And it cuts clean. But I'm concerned that the bearings are ready to be replace or at least repacked. Has anyone out there had this happen to them? And what is the best way to get in there and repack/replace bearings. Note, its making quite a bit of noise. And to be clear if feels like sand in the machine when I hand turn the spindle.

Thanks!

Trev.

[neilw20]

I think you will need really thick grease, or ear muffs.
It might be a pulley loose making the belt scrape.
Take the top off and remove the belt.
Then you will find out if it is the bearings, the belt or the motor, or some other gremlin.

[Trilabite]

Thanks Neil!

I'm going to have a look under the hood tonight and see what I find. I'll post what I come up with.

[Trilabite]

Ok, so took the top off. Loosened the belt, and turned both the spindle, and the motor with out a load on it. They both seem smooth and quiet. The belt however does seem to be a little dry and rubbing on the gears making that sticky rubber sound. I havent done anything yet but would it be a good idea to get a little oil in there? Neil do you have any recommendations for belt maintenance?

Cheers

[neilw20]

Soap, or wipe the pulleys with WD40. It is actually fish oil. Don't spray it on.
I had to shim the motor one side so that the belt tracked properly without rubbing on the flanges.
If it is really cold, it will quieten as it warms up. I just use earplugs, and my SX3 has done close to 2000 hours. Yours just has a fixed spindle.
I couldn't live without a moving quill.

[Trilabite]

Thanks for the advice Neil, it is very much appreciated. I'm going to try that right away and see how it goes!

Cheers!

[Trilabite]

So just a follow up on noisy belts and the like. I cleaned everything up with WD40 and let it Dry for a couple days. It did help the belt grinding quite a bit. But it was still there. I didn't want to goop it up with some kind of wet lube, so I went and got some graphite powder. A few puffs in both cogs and now I don't hear a peep! Machine runs substantially quieter now. I spooled it up to 2000 rpm left it for about 15 minuets then shut her down. Hand turned the spindle and still no noise. It seems that this remedy may do the trick for the longer term. It really purrs along now compared the banshee scream it was giving out before . Thanks again Neil for your help on this.

[igranic]

........ WD40. It is actually fish oil.

I don't think so! See the ingredients at the foot of this page. It appears to be almost entirely mineral oil / petroleum based.

Applying mineral oil to rubber/elastomer compounds can cause degradation, dependent on the composition.

Edward

[neilw20]

OK, I give up on the fish. Must have been told a tall tail from a few years ago.
Looks like graphite is the go for this X3/X4 noise problem.