Z-Axis Noise

[[Ja...]]

Hey all,

Our inspector has been reporting an unusual noise, specifically in the Z-Axis, on our 09/15/07 Prismo Navigator. The machine is vibrating/squeaking very loudly when driving in the Z-Axis, more-so when driving down. The noise is much worse at low speeds. If you drive the machine down faster, the noise does not appear. 

Back in December, the machine was PM'd and recalibrated. It is due again this December. The Counterbalance was replaced during the calibration service and the noise has gotten progressively worse throughout the year.

This morning, our inspector called me and reported the machine red-lighted during a styli system change. When the machine drove up to the stylus holder, the machine red-lighted and gave a 33 Collision fault, even though the movement path was clear.

Do you all think something behind the Ram Cover is binding up and causing some excessive resistance on the Ram? 

Have any of you heard of or experienced this before?

Edited October 8
missing information

[[Wo...]]

On our Accuras the noise on "Z" at low speeds was due to the balancing shaft. Had to replace it a few times already. Had to replace the "Z" drive once, but besides the noise the measurement points were weird ( the green arrows were not straight on the Left and right of the circle when measuring a vertical circle). There were also posts about some cable catching a column or something and making a noise.