Loud GT48 317 Deck
 

The 317 deck on my 1641 is much loader than the one on the 1863. Nothing seems to be too tight, I can move the belt and turn the blades with two fingers but that may mean much on tapered bearings. With the belt off one of the outer spindles does not have any movement when I wiggle the blade up and down, one has a little more than you would want in a wheel bearing and the center has what I think is to much. I had the blades off a while back and did torque the blade nuts when I put it back together. I don't see any way to adjust the bearing, no shims or castle nut like on a car. I looked in the tech section hoping to find a thread on rebuilding these spindles but didn't find anything. Is my next move to take the spindles apart and replace the bearings and seals?
Cannon

Probably wouldn't hurt to take it apart and see what's going on. At least you can clean the old grease out. Not much to them, just 2 tapered bearings with a split sleeve spacer between them. This is your typical bearing set up.

A pitted/galled bearing will be noisy. a loose bearing will be loose but not very noisy.
From your description, I would be inclined to think the bearings are worn/pitted, causing the loose clearance.
Your planned inspection will tell you the condition.
If those are the new style tapered bearings ,try Rockauto.com
just go to parts search and type in the number
Or if you prefer, NAPA or Autozone if they are LM 11949/LM 11910 they are outer wheel bearings for 70's GM vehicles as well as others.
LUCK!:beerchug:
EDIT Sam types faster than me

Just want to add one thing, when you put it back together make sure you install one of the seals upside down so that when you grease the bearings it will allow the old grease to be expelled.

Before you tear the deck down, spin the pulley on the tension idler on the deck and the belt pullies on the mule drive and make sure none of them make noise. They shouldn't make any noise.

They will really make a racket if they are dry on lube and they are sealed.

Good point Mike. :beerchug:

I thought to turn on the PTO with the deck off to see if it made noise but didn't think about the mule drive pulleys. I know they spin but not if they make noise. Probably won't do anything else till tomorrow, Just got back from mowing my mothers grass. Pretty rough caught between taking care of elderly parents and grown kids.
Thanks

Taking care of your mother is honorable, and what you should do.

"Taking care" of your grown kids............ My parents quit taking care of me when I moved out. Now it's my responsibility. Someday, I'll take care of them. :beerchug:

Haven't used my 48" deck yet. This winter we did all we could; paint, blast, belts, blades. The whole shebang.

Did run the deck many times. Not on grass. Sounds great, I know it'll do the job.

Can I make a butt out of myself when I think the deck sounds like a jet engine? :bigthink:

So true, but my kids keep telling me they are going to be the ones that pick my nursing home
Ha,<LOL :bigthink: