Actually, I don't have to pre-load the indicator - it's digital. I'm the only one on this forum who is using a digital indicator. It's much easier to read .01 or .02 mm than trying to read a hairline on a dial. I simply push the probe up to the hub and lock it in place, then press the "zero" button and it zeros it out for me.

You still need to pre-load it. The probe should never be fully extended when measuring. But why did you ask if you think you know the answer?

Because a day has gone by since I posted that question and spent a few hours playing around with the adjustments, by hand and with the indicator. Since then I figured it out being a digital indicator.