I didnt take any pictures as my phone was acting up and as you can understand i was just very excited to get it back together!
Basically, the spider has 4 arms,and the drum has a rim around the back, its quite a thick rim, and the spider hooks round the side of this and there is no screws involved or anything.
the reason there is no spiders to buy anywhere is because they surely must be manufactured like this as there is no way it can be put in to place by hand.
The spider where it grips round the rim had sort of opened ever so slightly over time, and therefore the drum clicks back and forth a tiny bit, its not as bad as it sounds but even the slightest bit of wear will obviously make a big noise as its metal on metal.
One reason i knew it was ok is because it would not move at all, i could not get it back tight again and it would not open up any more. I am 100% confident that its safe its just a little bit annoying and a worrying kind of sound at the most.
Sorry for not explaining this properly before, and mike, yes you are right none of these machines ever came into my work, infact before i dismantled it i spoke to my ex boss about it and i got the impression he had never heard of them.
Overall though, very well put together machines, 4 shock absorbers, 2 (or 3) front panels to the tub and what i believe to be an anti limescale heater.
George