Hi Gents, thanks for the replies.
I managed to strip everything down last night, I completely removed both support brackets and the leadscrew.
Tailstock end bearings are in great shape, looks like someone has installed a DIY attempt at the thrust bearing modification to eliminate the lash in the leadscrew, consists of some nicely finished bronze shims and works nicely.
The headstock end bearings are bad, scored and are worn out of round by nearly 3 thou so these will be replaced. I think the issue is someone has pressed the bearings right up to each other and there is no oil channel between them. So… make or buy? I’m tempted to make seeing as the parts from Myford will be £12 and for £30 I could buy enough Oilite cored bar to replace every bush on the entire machine!
Leadscrew is in good condition and the half nuts look new, they’re also setup well. So, I cleaned everything up and reassembled fitting 0.5mm shim between the brackets and bed. Less than 0.15mm leadscrew deflection now however it does get slightly worse the closer you are to the tailstock so I will go with Robbo’s suggestion later I think and see how that works out.
I need to adjust the under-strip shims at the front of the saddle as well as there is a tiny bit of lift showing. So, the saddle may be coming off anyway in the next few weeks.
Again, gentlemen I would like to thank you all for you replies, I’m slowly learning and I thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Cheers,
Nick