Cleaning up and refitting the Z axis ballscrew assembly and way covers

Cleaning up:

This will be a bigger job than the X axis, not least because it's about 1m long and has a lot more of the treacly grease on it. I suspect it was also less well protected from swarf and coolant so may take more effort. Off we go....

The miracle of WD40, paper towel, pot scrubbers and toothbrushes:

Seems to be in reasonable shape visually, although I can't resolve 1um with my eyesight.

Again, the resolver nose is handy for driving the ballscrew when cleaning with brushes etc.

Barely legible in the photos but like the X axis, it's an HSK 28mm double ballscrew with 5TPI(?) pitch. As you can see, the grease has turned to tar in places.

Came up nicely after an hour or so of buggerage.

Let's prepare the machine to receive its ballscrew again. 

The thrust bearing housing bolts to the bed with 6 fixings, along with 2 taper pins. It looks a bit grotty but in fact it's mainly superficial discolouration.

The ballnut screws into this bracket under the saddle. 

...and here's the free end of the ballscrew

This is the thrust bearing end of the ballscrew assembly.

Refitting the Z axis ballscrew assembly:

Back in position

But before securing the ballnut to the saddle again, I'll grease it up...

...using the cordless drill again.

Telescopic way covers:

These are a bit grubby but clean up nicely using WD40 and a pot scrubber. This is the main cover that covers the bed between the headstock and the saddle.

That worked out nicely. And yes, I DID fit the fixings and taper pins to the thrust bearing end before fitting the covers.

Similarly, the X axis covers look the business again.

Sorted. Now to clean up and replace the pulley drive enclosures and drive(n) pulleys....

Clean up the toothed pulley. Somehow it ended up with grease in the tooth. Ho hum!