The problem is mainly with the newer SHV & SHA models, where the bearing has been replaced with a brass bush (where the shaft locates in the side plate). This can wear very quickly, giving just enough play to enable the shaft to bend where it has been machined very thin to be held by the retaining plate. The regular sloshes are less prone in this respect - but not immune (especially if really abused & the bearing erodes). My local tackle shop takes in quite a few sloshes every week for repair and nearly every one is for a replacement shaft.
Harry - I've found one of my old, bent shafts from one of my SHA's (might have another if I can find it but suspect I may have thrown it away). I'd been wondering what you did regarding shimming out the replacement bearing - did you ream out the existing brass bush or come up with something from scratch? I only ask as I've also got a spare bush, which I replaced the last time I had to fit a new shaft. If you PM me your address I'll send you the shaft (& bush if it's any use). I've got a couple of 30 SHA's which I'd really like to get done for the coming summer season (which for me starts around mid-June with our summer matches up the coast) as I'd really lost faith in them due to this weakness - otherwise I think they're cracking reels - so I'd planned to get in touch anyway. It'd be great if you were able to send parts as you say, but I'd still be happy to do a couple of trips down from Blyth if necessary just to be able to get these otherwise excellent reels "fixed" once and for all!
Cheers, Gary