Thread: Noisey in high

I picked up a j-head that has been stored for several years. I cleaned it lubed it and ran it unloaded both in hi and lo everything was good nice and quite. I used it to drill a number 21 hole in a handle I was in high and the lowest speed step something kinda dragged for a second and the head got noisey. Low was pretty quite until I sped it up. the other thing I noticed is the bearing at the very top gets pretty warm I saw 140 F with the thermal scan after about twenty minutes running. I see no other heat issues and the spindle turns free when in neutral. Also this machine was stored with the head up side down. Is there a source for disassembly instructions on this machine. Also should the step pulley move up and down when shifting gears.

move the step pulley handle to the right to engage back gears and to the left to go out of back gears and step will move up and down during the switch. When going out of bg rotate pulley to help release. My BridgeP was louder than I thought it would be. I think it's normal unless you hear grinding. After 20 min 140 does not seem that hot to me IMO.

I stethoscope the head and the worst noise is dead in the middle of the word Bridgeport with the scope. It sounds more like squeal guess I will pull the cover off and see what I can find. Is there any online repair manuals outlining this type of tear down. This machine was kinda of an inheritance the gentleman that had it was terminal and wanted me to have it. It was hauled a total of 800 miles on trailers with the head upside down I now suspect something in either in the brake or clutch assembly may have come loose. Any ideas would be appreciated

Sounds like the brake/brake spring.

Pull the motor, And then the aluminum housing.

Fairly simple. Free manual download available at at Kneemills.com under documentation...

Well I found the problem upper bull gear bearing is bad. a couple of questions the bearings that came out are Fafnir mm 208K the manual I have calls for Fafnir mm208 kdb - df and one section calls for ND #3208 #3 precision. I can buy these bearings at my local bearing supply co. Or do I need to spec a higher precision bearing. 2nd question how do i setup the locknut on the bull gear shaft by torque or clearance

Do a search of threads up top of PM and you should find plenty of info. I searched "Bridgeport spindle bearings", here are a couple... class 7 spindle bearings, Spindle Bearing Install??, how do you install bearings onto spindle?. As for the locknut I don't know. Hope this helps.

The lock nut I am going to have to set is #290 in the back gear transmission unit parts list it screws on the #72 splined gear hub. I am replacing the #292 (2) bearings in the transmission unit not the spindle bearings. I have searched and haven't come up with anything. I did order the bearings just need to know how to set them up with that lock nut. thanks for the reply

The new bearings fixed the problem. runs smooth and quite. Now for the rest of the story. I wound up with an extra set of bearings.I tried to order from one company and they accepted the order and then called me the next morning upping the price by $30 a bearing I told them to cancel the order they said ok. But guess what they showed up. To return them costs me freight and 20% restocking fee. If I am going to have to take a loss I would prefer a good deal go to some one who can use these. The bearings are mrc7208pjdu these are angular contact bearings of precision 7 grade. I will take $138.00 delivered to your door that is 20% off what they cost me. I accept paypal. So if interest PM me.