Thanks! I just figured this out for a LX2500 that I got from Goodwill. I had to do exactly what you did. A set of plastic spudgers is available for about $15 from www.sewingmachinerepairguy.com. Brother recommends using synthetic grease on these machines. The grease from the factory is supposed to last the service life of the machine. Of course, they want you to landfill it in five years. They recommend oil (I used Triflow) only on the four shaft bushings, the needle bar crank rod assembly, and the crank assembly counter weight (because there is no way to get grease in). I added some white moly grease in a few places that looked dry. The service manual for the xm3700 covers this machine, and is readily available for download.