JimSraj 511 #1 Posted May 31 (edited) I’m replacing the spindle bearings on a deck for my 1991 312-8 and after cleaning all the grease out of the housings I noticed 1 of them has some pitting on the inside of the housing. The other 2 are pretty smooth all around except for several, fairly obvious, slightly raised sections evenly spaced around the inside. My first thought was to take a brake cylinder hone and smooth try to reduce the roughness but then I noticed the raised parts in them. The pitting isn’t terrible but it is noticeable and seems to be in the areas where the raised ridges were. Also, I noticed the grease that was in that spindle seemed to be thinner and very gray compared to the grease in the other 2 that showed the green Lucas grease I had used. Has anyone else seen this? What would have caused it? Is the spindle housing usable? Edited May 31 by JimSraj Add text. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 8,281 #2 Posted May 31 looks like defects in the casting. Should not effect anything. there is no contact in that area. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 59,743 #3 Posted May 31 9 hours ago, JimSraj said: Also, I noticed the grease that was in that spindle seemed to be thinner and very gray compared to the grease in the other 2 that showed the green Lucas grease I had used If it was the center spindle it probably hadn't been greased as frequently as the easy to reach outer ones. Looks good enough to last a few more decades. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 511 #4 Posted May 31 Thanks for the replies JoeM and 953nut. Defects in the casting was .what I was thinking as well. The pitted areas are where the ‘ridges’ are in the other spindles. They are somewhat visible in the photo. The gray color of the grease may have been caused by the aluminum from the pitted areas mixing with the grease. That spindle is actually the one opposite the discharge chute. Of course it could have been moved at some time. This deck is from a tractor I got from the original owner. He repainted the tractor and deck maroon and removed all the decals 🤷♂️. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,231 #5 Posted May 31 @JimSraj those aluminum die cast housings are known for flaws , related rough , irregular areas . usually lubrication stress , heat areas change color , personally would change out that housing , the constant angular , mounting definitely causes hi heat / related point , that color change , you are telling me what the problem is , all of my lucas green , stays green . good job on that search hunt . deck also shows minimal , build up , indicating good flow / discharge , dark staining , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 511 #6 Posted June 1 Anyone know how many pumps of the grease gun does it take to load each of the spindles with new grease now that it’s reassembled with new bearings? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,880 #7 Posted June 1 Mine took about 50 each Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,714 #8 Posted June 1 Load the grease as it's assembled. Then a 90° zerk fitting. A cordless grease gun works the beans on them too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 511 #9 Posted June 2 3 hours ago, squonk said: Load the grease as it's assembled. Then a 90° zerk fitting. A cordless grease gun works the beans on them too. They’re already assembled. So far I’ve packed the new bearings and put 15 pumps into each. Following nylon s advice I have another 35 each to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
