Made a little more progress in my ongoing war with the BS.

The thrust bearing would move away from the back of the blade when raised or lowered. Always assumed that this was due to the innacurate casting of the housing.

It was - in a way. I lost patience and seriously attacked the thing today. Took off the top section, with much difficulty, as there are two locating lugs that didn't want to let go. Finally got it apart and found that, due to the poor positioning of these lug holes, the top part was set 5mm off, away from the operator. This caused a number of problems, ie the top thrust bearing wandering and an inability to get wheels co-planer.

Lugs went into the bin - actually got tossed about 100 meters into next door but one neighbours backyard.

Re-assembled and now have a truly vertical thrust bearing rod and co-planar wheels. This also opens up an opportunity to insert a 30mm steel plate and thus increase the cut depth to a true 150mm.

Can't still cut accurately to the fence, but I'm getting there.

I shall win, not just this battle, but the whole f&&^%ing war!

PS ............Wongo's right, should've bought a Jet!