I will throw my 2 pence worth in even although it's been a couple of years since I adjusted my machine.
The soleplate is not adjustable other than on a pivot, so if it's not aligned with the frame, the bottom plate needs reground.
The cutter is fixed at one end and adjustable at the other.
Lets assume the bottom plate and cutter are perfectly ground.
You loosen back the 2 lock bolts and 2 swivel bolts on the soleplate and swivel it into within 0.002" of the left hand side of the cutter (pulley side)
When done tighten the 4 bolts.
You then loosen the 2 bolts on the non pulley side of the cutter and adjust the cutter to within 0.002" of that side of the bottom plate.
Tighten the 2 bolts and check.
In practice it's quite easy
The OP has movement in the spring of the adjuster, I dont think that is a problem because you have no weight on it, once it's on the ground their will be no movement.
Any movement at the front end is probably coming from elongated holes in the front roller arm assembly where the roller shaft goes through.
