62c mower belt flapping

[megotatractor]

It was a very small wobble on the two outer sheaves. I replaced both with new and there is no longer any wobble but it had no effect on the flappin. the outer sheaves had a lot of rust in them from washing the deck and the sheaves never dry with the belt guards on and I thought that would have to do with it. Only thing left is the belt I guess.

 

[megotatractor]

FOUND IT! Not the reason the belt is flapping but found the reason for it slapping the drivebox bracket;
I was cleaning up the deck and checking things out when I noticed that the belt had apparently been riding on the bottom edge of the idler sheave at the back of the deck. Out of curiosity I decided to remove the sheave and see what I could see. EUREKA! Under the sheave there is a cone shaped spacer and the bolt which secures the sheave goes through the deck in a SLOTTED hole. What's more the rusty smear under the spacer clearly indicates that at some time in the past the whole sheave/spacer/bolt had SLIPPED in the slotted hole placing the sheave about 1/2 inch closer to the drive box !!! Replacing the sheave to the rear of the slot where the rust pattern shows it was originally mounted it was clear that the belt can't possibly hit the bracket now even if it is flapping exessively... Slapping solved.
Further investigation shows the idler sheave has a bit of play in the bearing. The fact that my dealer actually has one in stock says a lot about the longevity of this bearing. Will replace sheave/bearing assembly. cost; $15.oo