Spindle Assembly - ( 759-3665 ) - Rebuild for 48" Deck
 

Working on an overhaul of the 48" deck that came with my 2186-48.

I got the blades and top jam nut (1-1/8") off all three spindles.

My spindle pulleys have hex nuts (1-1/4") welded to them and a Woodruff Key, #91 - 1/4 x 3/4.

I can't seem to figure out how to remove the pulley so I can pull the spindle shaft and disassemble the unit for an overhaul.

Pulley is quite rusted to the shaft, but I have soaked the joint overnight with PB.

How do I get the pulley off the shaft, or is there a way to pull the shaft and pulley out of the housing without damaging anything too badly?

All I want to do is wire wheel the pulley and paint it. Replace the bearings and seals and repack with grease. Should I be going about this a different way?

Service manual wasn't much help.

Drive the spindle shaft up from the bottom. Then you can likely press the shaft out of the pulley.

The shaft should come out of the housing without removing the pulley. You will most likely need a press the get the pulley off the shaft. You could still clean up the pulley without damaging the shaft if you are careful.

I replaced the bearings in a 317 GT deck a few years ago and did not remove the pulleys from the shaft. http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...highlight=deck
See post #12 and #13.
Cannon

Doing more research last night and this AM:

The spindle shaft on this assembly is threaded on both ends. You do not drive this pulley off. You have to remove the Woodruff key, then spin the pulley up the threads and off the shaft. That process requires access to the underside of pulley to drive the key upwards toward the zerk to release the threads to spin. Impossible unless the shaft/pulley assembly is removed from the housing.

I'm trying to drive the shaft out from the underside right now. Soaking all the joints I can with PB to try and help the process. Everything is very seized (as expected). My first try with my 5lb hand sledge and wood block yielded no movement.

I assume by beating the shaft from the housing this will destroy both the cone bearings and their oil seals correct? I want to avoid ruining the races if possible as I suspect my spindles only need a good internal cleaning and new bearings.

Here is what this looks like IRL:
https://i.imgur.com/RsJ3RdX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FaaYHT3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rxgfd7v.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jGc53IR.jpg

No, that is ENTIRELY not true. Incorrect. The pulley IS NOT threaded. It rides on the shaft and the key holds it in place. I don't know where you ever got that, but it's not threaded on. You DO NOT drive the key out to get it off.



That seems very odd..... I'd hit it harder, or get a piece of brass to put over the end of the spindle, then hit it instead of a wood block.


Shouldn't destroy either of them, but may if the bearing is stuck to the shaft. Only thing it should damage, is the seal. I highly doubt if the spindle is stiff that a good cleaning is all that it needs. It has tapered roller bearings. If they get stiff from rust or water, they're usually done for. Pits the race.

Thanks for the correction.

I'll give it more PB and time, then go at it with the sledge again.

Kroil is much better than PB Blaster. PB probably isn't helping much. Better start beating.

So I had to use my gigantic slip joint pliers (gripping the lower spindle cup) and the cordless impact wrench with a 1-1/4" deep socket on the pulley nut (deep socket a must b/c zerk) to spin the shaft and cut threads into the lower cup to get it to spin off the shaft. Whoops. I tried my 3-arm pulley remover tool and it just bent the cup. All three lower cups are ruined; but I got everything apart and wiped down of old grease.

A couple things I noticed on the cleaning of each spindle.

1) Bearings don't appear to be extremely bad off. Races and machined surfaces are free from gouges or metal burrs.

2) Zerk fittings are shot. All three had malfunctioning retention balls and consequently a clod of dirt blocking the grease shaft.

3) All three lower bearing races (side facing grass) are moving off their seat.
Left side 1/16"
Center 1/8"
Right side (can completely pull it out)
Upper races are solid and don't move at all (except the center which moves 1/16")

I am not a seasoned bearing repair veteran, but my understanding is that usually when races spin in the housing or pull out freely the assembly is shot.
I hope that isn't the case here since all three spindle housings have moveable races.

Is this business as usual with a spindle or are the housings shot?

Have you removed the seals and cones yet? The races are in the center back to back, with a spacer between.