Thanks, but....
There was no nut that went over the threaded part on the brass
bushing....Also, only one of the brass bushings even has a thread on
it....could it be that the previous owner replaced it or something...I
don't know.

Also, the brass bushing does not have a flange...
I have posted three photos he
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/Img_0554.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/IMG_0552.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/IMG_0553.jpg

Thanks for any (continued) help......

Maybe it's just that the gears are intended to be loose on the
lathe...the nut bottms out on the long metal tupe with a flange on it
(i think it is called the sleeve (LA-313 I think)