My WM14 has developed excessive sideways movement in the spindle. I can only assume its a bearing issue of some kind but I am really struggling to get it apart to examine things. I have searched for definitive answers on this forum and the wider internet. There are postings regarding it's bigger brothers i.e the WM16 and WM18, plus numerous references and pointers to youtube videos primarily regarding the similar American 'Grizzly' versions.

The problem is that none of these appear to be the same as mine! They all show much the same process – you go into the top of the spindle firmly press down the spring loaded section and slip out the retaining clip sideways – simple. Then proceed to remove the spindle.

To try & be brief, I have tried my utmost to do this, The retaining clip is quite clear and would move if I could move the housing it sits in out of the way but it will simply not budge (as it does appear to in all the videos)! There even seems to be a slot in the housing (see photo #2) which would tend to make you think the retaining clip could exit through.

There's also what appears to be a collar with a couple of holes (for a pin spanner I assume) at the other end, which doesn't get mentioned anywhere – don't know if relevant.

So has anyone actually done this before and can point me in the right direction please!

Top retaining clip (like a 'C' clip) in (recessed) situ

Side view of top – showing cutout

Bottom

I'm totally confused with this, expecially as the arrangement does not seem to closely match the parts diagram in the Warco manual (not a great surprise there anyway) . It was a new machine from them back around 2011 / 2012 so hasn't been modified.

Any guidance much appreciated! Mike

Just an update: After removing the spindle, examination showed a good 1mm up/down and .5mm side to side movement! Was a bit daunted, but suddenly noticed that the pre-load nut at the top was loose – quickly screwing it back into place with fingers seemed to make the movement less, so hoped this was all required.

Made up a custom pin-spanner (see photo) and was able to re-tighten things quite accurately. Free play removed yet still running nice and free with no feel of grunge in the bearings. The pre-load nut is an oddity, it's split part way through and locks by 2 screws distorting the upper section.

Tightening these down with sufficient clockwise force to be effective is difficult without also tending to rotate & tighten the nut – upsetting your original positioning.
I found a handy pair of cranked nose pliers (see photo) that just fitted into the 2 holes used for the pin spanner which allowed me to hold the nut in position when tightening the screws.
End result after re-assembling – very happy. It's like a new machine, and in fact I think better than it ever was!

I know a chap did a youtube on a re-designed nut which seemed quite well thought out (a two part assembly), but I wasn't sure how it was meant to be accurately tightened, so haven't considered it further at this time. May re-visit it if I find the problem returning later.
So if your WM mill seemes a bit 'off', don't necessarily despair – may be just a straightforward adjustment rather than bearing changes! Just hope my experiences may be useful to others in the future.
regards Mike

Thanks for the feedback Nigel, a most interesting read. This was just an 'oddity' to me as something I'd never come across before – having not attempted similar jobs previously. I agree this item does look like a cheap-and-cheerful version of the Speith locknut you mentioned, same principle but the Speith being a more elegant and finely engineered part.

It never ceases to amaze me that there is 'nothing new under the sun' as the saying goes, that with every problem somebody has always already figured out a solution somewhere / sometime!

All the best, Mike