From Red Lion, PA. to Brooklyn, NY. A 1972 Maytag DE806

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Hi, great post! I've got a DE90 with the same setup. Ive got two questions about the middle of the tensioner pulley:
1. Should the rotation happen between the pulley and the OD of the brass sleeve bearing, or between the ID of the brass sleeve bearing and the steel post that's attached to the slide? My machine was making an ear piercing squeak, and the OD of the sleeve bearing (the non flange end) shows wear from rubbing on the ID of the pulley (which also shows some wear and a couple burrs/shavings). A whole bunch of black powder appeared under this during the squeakville era. (super fine metal shavings? graphite?) Which leads to the second question:
2. There's a natural fiber string wound around the brass sleeve bearing. The center of parts of it looks like it was white originally, but externally it is all very black. Mine has been broken into a couple lengths. My best guess... is this string covered in graphite to lubricate the steel post via the slot in the sleeve bearing? Or was the string covered in oil, like the descriptions on this site Ive seen of the felt on the drum support bearing? Mine doesn't seem oily. The steel post however has some seriously dried up black gunk on it - maybe old oil (and possibly graphite?) or just dirt. I looked into getting a new flanged sleeve bearing but can't find one the right size. Im hoping its not too far gone. Thank you for any insight!
 

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