Fix #1:
As the bearing started to fail from the extreme force it suffers from the steep angle of the first step up along the slide, I removed and replaced the bearing to no avail. Next, I removed the slide and put it on my grinder, easing the slope of the first step. I figured if it weren’t so steep it would roll better. That didn’t work.

Perfect fix:
I cut a piece of steel and screwed it onto the slide, modifying the slope into a perfectly smooth incline. This took five minutes to do and my saw is back to it’s super-smooth action!

BTW: This fix results in the blade guard resting in a “slightly” opened position (see photo) which is infinitely safer than removing or pinning back the guard. I was taught safety first and never pin back my blade guards, not even on a wormdrive while cutting rafter tails.
I am very pleased with the results of this fix. In fact, it is such an improvement I would purchase this Bosch saw new and apply this patch before I would buy a ‘yellow’ brand saw any day.

I chose the Makita LS1013FL 15 Amp 10-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw with Laser and Fluorescent Light despite several ‘issues’ I have with the saw. The first thing that does not appeal to me is the location of the miter gauge arrow. It’s on the far right, at the fence. Beside having to twist around to that side of the machine to see what angle you are selecting, you cannot see the setting while material is against the fence. WTF? The rest of the Makita’s details seem beautiful. This will be my first saw with a flex work-light and a laser. I can’t count the jobs I’ve clamped a halogen above my saw station to get in a few more cuts end of the day.
It’s much smoother and with a more powerful cut than the DEWALT DW716 I had. My new Makita is mounted on a Rigid Mobile Miter Saw Stand, which is damn heavy but very helpful.

I picked up the Makita LS1013FL for $399 at Home Depot due to a mismarked label.