When I have that problem with my mechanical machines, I oil the daylights out of it, let it sit for a while, then oil again and then wipe everything up real well. If you turn the flywheel by hand, and listen carefully, you will probably be able to identify where the squeaking is coming from, so you can add a drop of oil. Machines do not like to be left sitting, so if it has been stored for any length of time, it needs fresh oil. That should fix the problem. If you have a moving part that you can identify that isn't in a spot where oil is generally put, drop some oil on a Q-tip and oil it directly. I hope this helps. I haven't had my embroidery machine long enough to develop squeaks yet, but there will come a time when I do... Good luck!!

I think you need to go ahead and use your 5x7 machine. It just seems to me you are afraid of putting stitches on it because you think you are wearing it out. This would be like having a car you cant drive past the corner. Use it and enjoy it.

I have an Elna CE10 with 4x4 & 5x7 and from day one it has had a pitched squeak when moving in sideways directions. I took it from dealer to dealer and was eventually told, "USE IT" and I have, and six years later it is still going strong!!! Hope that makes you feel better

What kind of machine is it? Would help to know that, maybe others with that brand & model would have a better idea. If you think it's in the arm, have you tried to look and see if anything looks like it's scraping, or has scuffs on it? Since I don't know what kind of machine, is the arm able to be bent, or somehow moved a bit out of position? If it were me, I'd be getting my screwdriver and taking it apart to oil everything that even vaguely looks like it moves, but then that's me. Probably why my dealer laughs when he sees me coming, and asks, "What did you do now?" Or, you could just keep using it as long as the designs are working out ok, and if it's important it'll eventually break, then you'll know what it is that needs to be fixed. That's advice from the car mechanic part of me, don't know if that's good for sewing machines or not, hee hee hee. Best of luck, Marji

I too would be pulling it apart and giving it a good oiling while checking that everything is where it should be. But like Marji I am pretty happy to pull things to pieces to see how they tick (or why they squeak)
Alice.