Graphite/BP cleanup

Stan,

I barely had time to read these boards, so I didn't respond to your posts. I
have had to deal with damage caused by machining EDM graphite electrode
material. I am also the same person that exclusively used ARCO graphite
motor oil when It was available. ( I still get some evidence of this when I
change the oil in the '79 Chevy that I drive at the H.S. homecomings).
I believe that you partially answered your own question: "The one hand crank
on the Y axis (left-right?) doesn't feel very smooth and I am thinking of
the graphite in and on the ball screws. ".

Good graphite or bad graphite, you better get to the bottom of the problem
stated.
If you were to take your ( clean ) finger and wipe it in the " sooty, oily
grunge " then rub your finger tips together, any roughness or gritty feel
indicates a major tear-down is in order.

Dave