My Makita 14.4 volt cordless drill broke last night. Model 6228DWE.
Received "free" with the purchase of a Makita SCMS a few years ago.
It was brand new and unused for the most part. Got it out for the
first time a few months ago to drill some holes and drive screws when
installing a screen door. Last night I was driving 1 5/8" drywall
screws through some 1x4s into the ceiling joists in the basement. I
was on about the 10th screw when the chuck stopped turning if there
was any pressure at all on the chuck/bit. As if the clutch was the
most sensitive possible. Seemed like the shaft with the chuck on the
end just no longer engaged the chuck with any pressure. I know the
chuck is screwed onto the shaft so its not like the shaft could stop
engaging the chuck. Chuck still spins if you pull the trigger. But
if you put your finger against the spinning chuck, the chuck stops,
and the motor keeps on spinning. I would guess the shaft itself is
broken and friction allows the two pieces to stay engaged if there is
no pressure on the chuck/bit. But if there is any resistance on the
chuck, the two pieces come apart. Just a guess since I haven't taken
the drill apart.

Anyone had any experience contacting Makita on how to get a drill
fixed or replaced? Whom to contact and where? What results did you
get? The drill is long past its 1 year warranty, if that even ever
applied to a free promotional item.

I did have some Makita tool use joy last night. The rotary hammer
drill was able to drill holes for Tapcon screws with ease in the
concrete basement walls. First time I've used the rotary hammer drill
since I bought it a year or so ago.