Home Depot usually has SS shim washers for sale in those spinning racks of little drawers. I keep the common sizes on hand in my garage and did use some on the spindles of a 149.

Since you are using all OEM parts, you shouldn't be having any binding issues as long as you are using what was specified originally. The two washers #7 on the diagram are as follows:


https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...1&d=1679093155

Cub Cadet 736-0179
Washer, Flat, .531 X 1.25 X. 100 Thk

Then #8 goes over them:

Cub Cadet 736-3095
Washer, Flat, .535 X 1.92 X .060 Thk

Then the 3/8-16 bolt. Then the decorative cap.

I got lucky this time and found the perfect shim washer in my collection of washers! :beerchug:

1"OD, .5" ID, .0625" thick

Installed the washer over the end of the spindle, tightened the bolt down and no preload on the bearing at all. VERY little play in and out so it seems that was the perfect spacer. I was scratching my head how I could get so lucky and how the washer fit perfect. Like it was made for this application. I'd like to know where that spacer came from and makes me wonder if I came off of the tractor many years ago? I usually keep any parts that belong to equipment bagged and tagged so I guess I'll never know.

What this tells me is the distance between the two bearing inner races is 1/16" too large. Could I press each bearing in another 1/32" :bigthink: I hate to take a chance and ruin a $30 bearing for the price of a free washer. ;)

Good to know! I'll check them out next time I visit HD. :ThumbsUp: