Double pulley bearing replacement?

DieselMachine · Jul 30, 2017

Hey all, I'll preface this post with saying that I did try to search but the search function appears to be down at the moment, nothing but website error messages.

Anyway, have a John Deere 185 with a 38" deck and the double pulley that sends PTO power from the engine to the mower deck blades has bearings that after 30+ years of mowing have gone out. Part Number 103501 is a $120 part and the pulley itself is still in good shape, with just the bearings that are bad (should be $20 worth of bearings to fix?). Can't find any info on if these can be replaced, and if so, what part number for the two bearings?

Thanks for any advice.

flyerdan · Jul 30, 2017

One thing about anything with a bearing, it wasn't forged or cast around the bearing; it had to be placed in there, therefore it can come out and be replaced. If you can take it to a bearing house, they might be able to get a number or match it by measurements. Then you can replace them, providing you have the means.

dfkrug · Jul 30, 2017

I would take it apart and remove the bearings and get them from an aftermarket supplier.

I recently replaced a pulley on a Deere STX38, and the part prices were not bad. If
your electric clutch/PTO has taken a dive, then they are over $100, but it sure
looks like the bearings are removable and replaceable with generic units. The part
numbers are on the sides of the bearings.

BHD · Jul 30, 2017

the bearings are (if I am looking at things correctly),

John Deere Mower Deck Spindle Bearing - JD9296

about $8 each you will need two of them and press if I remember right to take them out and put them back in,(or it is much easer).

one could most like go to a quality auto parts store with bearing in hand and get them as well,

you can look up the parts yourself go to
Sign In
you will have sign in and create an account and you will have access to nearly ever john deere parts book ever printed,

on john Deere parts the letter prefix is important as the number, so list the letter prefix as well when listing a john Deere part.off of ebay you can buy the Chinese made ones for about $5 each some times less,
Mower Deck Spindle Bearing JD9296 JD9259 Z954-2RST 24RR6 Z954-RST | eBay

Spanner · Jul 30, 2017

dfkrug said:
I would take it apart and remove the bearings and get them from an aftermarket supplier.

I recently replaced a pulley on a Deere STX38, and the part prices were not bad. If
your electric clutch/PTO has taken a dive, then they are over $100, but it sure
looks like the bearings are removable and replaceable with generic units. The part
numbers are on the sides of the bearings.

I don't think DieselMachine is referring to the PTO clutch. The pulley he describes and the Part No. AM103501 is the transfer pulley on the mower deck.

The bearings are replaceable and simple to press, or drift, out. New bearings press, or drift, in easily. Just remember two things:

1. Remember to install the spacer between the bearings.
2. The larger pulley goes on top. Write "Top" on it to remind you. Sounds silly but people do forget and then the belts are incorrectly tensioned.

The JD9296 bearing can be replaced by any good quality #6204 bearing from your local 'Bearing Supplier'. (Google).

Quality bearings are sourced from USA, Japan and Europe (E & W).

I would hesitate to install bearings from China at this time.

dfkrug · Jul 30, 2017

Spanner said:
I would hesitate to install bearings from China at this time.

Lots of decent ball bearings are coming from China these days.

On my last Deere rebuild, a 2001 4300 CUT, there were 2 bearings that were actually made in Russia,
according to the engraving.

First time I saw that.

RandyT · Jul 30, 2017

dfkrug said:
I would take it apart and remove the bearings and get them from an aftermarket supplier.

I recently replaced a pulley on a Deere STX38, and the part prices were not bad. If
your electric clutch/PTO has taken a dive, then they are over $100, but it sure
looks like the bearings are removable and replaceable with generic units. The part
numbers are on the sides of the bearings.

Can't go by the numbers sometimes on the bearing. Have pulled bearings out of PTO clutches and got the numbers from the bearing, tried to replace with same number bearing, but the OEM bearing is actually sized .004 smaller than what the standard bearing actually measures.

crazyal · Jul 31, 2017

We have two bearing suppliers near me. If you take a bearing to them or the pulley and shaft they will get you the correct size bearing plus give you options on different levels of quality. Unlike auto parts store they can buy (may even have in stock) several different brands. If you don't have access to a shop press you can take it to your local mechanic.

DieselMachine · Jul 31, 2017

Spanner said:
I don't think DieselMachine is referring to the PTO clutch. The pulley he describes and the Part No. AM103501 is the transfer pulley on the mower deck.

The bearings are replaceable and simple to press, or drift, out. New bearings press, or drift, in easily. Just remember two things:

1. Remember to install the spacer between the bearings.
2. The larger pulley goes on top. Write "Top" on it to remind you. Sounds silly but people do forget and then the belts are incorrectly tensioned.

The JD9296 bearing can be replaced by any good quality #6204 bearing from your local 'Bearing Supplier'. (Google).

Quality bearings are sourced from USA, Japan and Europe (E & W).

I would hesitate to install bearings from China at this time.