48 " Mower Deck Spindles

[GTSRider]

On my 2nd mow of the season.... my mower deck self disintegrated
in seconds....
Here's what I found today after looking at it...
middle spindle was worn and caused brand new belt just installed to
ride off pulley, causing tension er spring to lodge under far left spindle pulley,
destroying it....belt is all tore up.... and now I need new spindle
for center blade , and new pulley for far left spindle, and of course new
belt.
I want to replace idler pulleys to while I am at it.
Can anyone tell me the best way to go on the spindle ?
They sell the kit for $125....
and what is the " trick " to remove and replace spindle unit ?
Thanks.
Pete

[Captain Ned]

If you remove the blade nut and the top nut (on the drive pulley) the spindle will just come apart on its own.

[GTSRider]

Would you recommend or not ...
to just replace bearings... or go the easy route , and buy the whole
spindle " Kit " as it is listed on the Cub Cadet parts fiche ?

[Bob_Bainbridge]

On my 2nd mow of the season.... my mower deck self disintegrated
in seconds....
Here's what I found today after looking at it...
middle spindle was worn and caused brand new belt just installed to
ride off pulley, causing tension er spring to lodge under far left spindle pulley,
destroying it....belt is all tore up.... and now I need new spindle
for center blade , and new pulley for far left spindle, and of course new
belt.
I want to replace idler pulleys to while I am at it.
Can anyone tell me the best way to go on the spindle ?
They sell the kit for $125....
and what is the " trick " to remove and replace spindle unit ?
Thanks.
Pete

I found that an impact wrench is the easiest way to break the nuts loose. You can use a piece of 2 x 4 to lock the blade from turning. A piece of belt will help hold the pulley from turning to remove the upper nut.

Bob B.

[GTSRider]

Thanks Bob.... I was thinking along those lines...

[GTSRider]

Would still like to hear from anyone who has an opinion,
on whether to rebuild spindle, and just get 2 new bearings and seals...
or get the whole spindle kit ....
Big difference in price...
Thanks.
Pete

[Sam Mac]

It's not a big deal to rebuild them.

[GTSRider]

Thanks for your input.......then I will probably do that and save the $...

[GTSRider]

Got spindle out but now must remove damaged pulley.
Is that nut above Pulley usually any problem to remove ?

[rcbe]

Got spindle out but now must remove damaged pulley.
Is that nut above Pulley usually any problem to remove ?

See Bob Bainbridge's reply above....