Hope your machine ends up fine. When we were visiting relatives (and quilt shops) my husband got to talking to a service guy that did the HQ machines, and he told DH all about the "normal" servicing they require. He said to get the kit and DH could do it himself. the problem appears to be that HQ won't sell it to anyone other than a licensed dealer. We have not checked yet with the company we bought the machine through, but we are hoping they'll order one for us, and not require us to bring the machine in to them.