42" mower deck repair on a 1993 Cub 1641

[kellycaudle]

I rebuilt my two spindles by getting new bearings and oil seals. I thoroughly cleaned everything including the grease holes and zerks. The bearing races where in great shape. I hand packed the new bearings and put them in and installed the seals. I installed the spindles with the blades. I pumped and lot of grease into the top zerk fittings. Ran it briefly then shot more grease. After a little bit one of the spindle s starting smoking and when I looked the grease was boiling out once i loosened the main nut on the blade. Any advice or is there a good spindle rebuild video out there I could refer to? thank you!!

 

[Doug Rusk]

Sounds like you got way too much grease in the spindles for one thing tho there could be other problems as well. Perhaps you over tightned one or both spindles.....

 

[mgonitzke]

One seal is supposed to be installed backwards so excess grease can escape. You also likely over-greased the bearings. Did the spindle spin freely after reassembly?

 

[kellycaudle]

Sounds like you got way too much grease in the spindles for one thing tho there could be other problems as well. Perhaps you over tightned one or both spindles.....

I tightened the nut on the blade tight enough to secure the blade.

 

[kellycaudle]

One seal is supposed to be installed backwards so excess grease can escape. You also likely over-greased the bearings. Did the spindle spin freely after reassembly?

No they were tight after I installed the nut on the bottom to secure the blades. I figured they were tight because they were new and needed to set it.

 

[mgonitzke]

No they were tight after I installed the nut on the bottom to secure the blades. I figured they were tight because they were new and needed to set it.

The spacer in between the bearings is worn. The spindles must spin freely by hand. I'd order a package of 3/4" ID x 0.010" thick shims from McMaster-Carr and add them in addition to the existing spacer such that the spindle turns freely but does not wobble.