I screwed up and have been washing the tractor (LT1046) and deck not realizing I shouldn't. The bearings need replacing and I just got them in the mail. Has anyone had any experience or advice in replacing them? I am thinking it shouldn't be tough, but I have been fooled into thinking that on simple jobs before.
spindle bearing replacement
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OldMachinist
Platinum Member
I looked at the parts diagram for your deck and it looks like it pretty easy. just remove the blade, pulley and spacers and drive the old bearings out. I would hold one of the old bearings on top of the new one and drive them in with a hammer. I've heard that if you try to take housing off the deck the bolts may break off as they tend to seize in the holes. If the spacers are different lengths make sure they go back in the same place.
As a side note I don't think just washing the deck with a hose could have cause enough water to get in the bearings because the seal cups and the pulley would prevent you from being able to force it in. I pressure wash my deck top and bottom every blade sharpening and have not had any problems with the bearings. I inspected the bearings this spring everything looked good with no sign of mosture in the grease.
As a side note I don't think just washing the deck with a hose could have cause enough water to get in the bearings because the seal cups and the pulley would prevent you from being able to force it in. I pressure wash my deck top and bottom every blade sharpening and have not had any problems with the bearings. I inspected the bearings this spring everything looked good with no sign of mosture in the grease.
I did the whole job in about 45 minutes and it did the trick, the mower is now running as smoothly and quietly as new. Actually loosening the pulley nut and letting the shaft and blade come out as one piece worked best.
They warn you about washing the deck and water getting in the bearings. Whenever I have washed the deck it was when the mower was just used. There is an area on top of the bearing where some water could pool a little and as the spindle assembly cools down it draws the water into the spindle through the bearing. Two out of three of the spindles did not spin smoothly and the grease inside one had dirt in it. From now on I am going to use the compressor to blow the grass out.
They warn you about washing the deck and water getting in the bearings. Whenever I have washed the deck it was when the mower was just used. There is an area on top of the bearing where some water could pool a little and as the spindle assembly cools down it draws the water into the spindle through the bearing. Two out of three of the spindles did not spin smoothly and the grease inside one had dirt in it. From now on I am going to use the compressor to blow the grass out.
