15
MAINTENANCE SECTION - Continued
SPINDLE REBUILDING
Reconditioning procedures for all three spindles
are the same. Make sure the deck, especially the
bottom around the spindle, is well cleaned of
grass buildup before spindle removal. The
spindle to be rebuilt must be removed from the
deck.
SPINDLE REMOVAL
NOTE:
The mower deck MUST be removed from the
tractor according to instructions on page 13 for
spindle rebuilding.
1. Disconnect the deck belt and remove the
blade bolt and blade and pulley nut and spindle
pulley.
2. Remove all four 7/16-20 locknuts from the
spindle housing studs on the top of the deck.
Remove the spindle from the bottom of the deck.
SPINDLE DISASSEMBLY
1. Disassemble the complete spindle and wash
all parts in clean solvent. Inspect and replace
any part that is excessively worn or damaged,
especially the roller bearing cups and cones.
IMPORTANT
Any time a spindle is disassembled and the shaft
is removed, both seals and their seal spacers
MUST be replaced.
2. Inspect the bearing spacer from the center of
the spindle housing. This spacer is designed to
maintain correct bearing pre-load. Its length
should be .606 ± .001. If this spacer is not within
this tolerance, it must be replaced.
SPINDLE REASSEMBLY
Make certain all spindle parts are clean before
reassembly. All internal parts should be coated
with a coat of clean grease, especially the roller
bearings, for ease of reassembly.
Spindle Cutaway
1. Use an arbor press to install the bearing cups
into the housing. Make certain the cups are fully
seated. Place one roller bearing into the cup in
the lower housing.
IMPORTANT
The lower seal is different than the upper seal. It
can be identified by the backup spring behind the
seal lip. This seal should NOT be used as an
upper seal.
2. Press the lower seal into its bore, seal lip
inward, until it bottoms in the housing. Install the
seal spacer into the seal. Insert the spindle shaft
through the lower seal and spacer until it is fully
in place.
3 Turn this assembly right side up, holding the
shaft so it does not fall out. Slide the bearing
spacer over the shaft into the housing cavity.
Install the upper roller bearing cone and the seal
spacer on the shaft against the bearing.
4. Install the upper seal (no seal lip backup
spring) over the shaft and press into place, flush
with the housing top. The upper seal up points
up (away from the bearing).
