Tom Senior small vertical head axial play

Tom Senior small vertical head axial play

This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 October 2026 at 22:15 by Kiwi Bloke.

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7 October 2026 at 20:11 #868339
chris1984
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@chris1984
Hi all,

I am trying to remove axial play of both axes in the small vertical head of my Tom Senior.

For the horizontal axis, I was kind of assuming that the nut needs to be either tightened or have a shim/washer put behind it. This is a right-hand thread nut, i can tell from protruding piece of thread. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to loosen this so far. I don’t see what is holding the nut,was glue common?

I’ve tried penetrating oil, carburator cleaner and even heat. No luck so far. Also the lock the spindle, I’ve engaged the back gear. Is that ok or bad practise?

Any advise would be much appreciated!

Herafter will be the vertical axis, the spindle. It is not clear how to preload that to remove axial play. Both upper and lower bearing seem to float up and down in the housing. Looks awkward …
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7 October 2026 at 22:15 #868357
Kiwi Bloke
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@kiwibloke62605
Hope this helps.

As can be seen, there’s no adjustment provided for axial pre-load of the driving shaft thrust bearings. I suppose shims will be required. The nut should undo, if you can better the strength of the Yorkshireman who tightened it. Don’t rely on gear teeth to react the torque you apply to the nut! IIRC, once the the large diameter mounting ring is removed from the attachment, the end of the driving shaft is accessible, and can then be held securely.

The angular contact bearings on the vertical spindle are clamped to the shaft by the threaded collar at the upper end – it’s not an adjuster. Preload again must require shims twixt bearing outer and cover. Sobering to realise that axial forces are reacted by four piddling little slotted screws…
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