OM, Thanks for the quick reply and your expertise. I'll have to digest this one for a while. Glad to hear at least the sprocket teeth are OK.

Fred

Tinytec,
Just another thing to check, look at the nut for the pivot axle under the machine where the undercarrige attaches and check to see if the pivot axle is loose, could be that the bearing adjuster has just run out of thread because the axle is moving out. Not something many people check and could save some time and dollars if its just loose, but if it has been loose for such a long time the damage could be extensive. Worth a look though because these things usually show up after being stuck as you were.

Oz22,

" look at nut for the pivot axle under the machine where the undercarrige attaches and check to see if the pivot axle is loose, could be that the bearing adjuster has just run out of thread because the axle is moving out"

I don't recall seeing a nut underneath the machine that would affect the axle position. The female thread of the adjusting nut appears to be totally stripped, even when it's over the mating male threads of the bearing cage.

Thank you!

Fred