Lathe Spindle Bearing Replacement

Replacing the spindle bearing on your lathe is easy and can help ensure long-term accuracy. The replacement procedure is not difficult, but it must be done in the correct order. To start with, make sure that the rear bearing is fully homed, which requires a back-off of the nut. Next, tighten the spindle nut to a snug but not overly tightened condition.

The new spindle is a bit different than the one you had removed. Its dimensions are different, so the new spindle will need a spacer. It's possible that the new spindle will require a slight spacer on the bearing side. But it is not difficult to replace the bearings, and the procedure only takes about an hour.

First, you must remove the bearing. Once the bearing is removed, you need to install a spacer. The spacer forces the inner race against the bearing's outer race. If the bearing is too loose, the chuck can move anywhere. This can lead to poor machining results.

Another option for lathe spindle bearing replacement is to upgrade to tapered roller bearings. These are often cheaper but do not provide the same accuracy as higher grade bearings. In addition, they have a small window of acceptable preload. Also, these bearings are deeper than stock, so you may need to modify your lathe to make them fit.