turret lifting because of a loose gib plate

[notRon]

We’ve been battling a loose X axis gib on our used Leadwell, and it’s getting sketchy. the turret actually tries to lift when we run the spindle clockwise
We thought the gib was shot because we bottomed out the adjustment, but we just realized the real culprit is the retaining plate bolted to the bottom of the cross slide is totally loose
All five bolts are backed out, but of course, the turret is sitting right on top of the access holes. to tighten them, the turret has to come off. it’s held by 8 bolts, but I don’t see any dowel pins or keys for alignment.
Has anyone pulled a turret on one of these? I’m assuming it’s going to be a project to realign the centerline once it’s back on
any tips for getting it squared up without pins to guide it, or is there a pro move to reach those plate bolts without a full teardown?

 

[Alan]

That’s definitely “stop and secure” territory. If the retaining plate bolts are backed out and the turret is trying to lift, I’d park the machine until that plate is tight again. If you do pull the turret, scribe/paint-mark everything before loosening so you have a reference when it goes back.

 

[MinaHaakuba]

Before a full pull, have you tried rotating the turret to a position that opens at least one access hole and doing them one at a time? Some machines let you index to a service position. If not, I wonder if an offset box wrench or a wobble extension could reach the plate bolts with the turret loosened and slightly lifted, not fully removed.