darvinm19 0 #1 Posted April 12, 2011 I have a 36" side discharge deck on a 1972 raider 8. The original spindles were cast iron with the (gm water pump style) bearing w/shaft assembly. and I got a used deck to replace my deck shell and it has aluminum spindle housings and regular greaseable ball bearings. Which is better? Should I go original or are the new style so much better because of them being greaseable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IthacaJeff 151 #2 Posted April 13, 2011 I can't answer which one is better, as I've not had any of the cast iron spindles. But I will tell you that the aluminum ones have a tendency to break off at the bolt hole tabs. I've got 42" RD and 48" SD decks, and all of the spindle housings have at least one tab broken off. The 42" deck has a massive stress crack in the deck shell, so I use it for parts. I've had to pirate one spindle (or is the term "mandrel"?) off the 42" deck for the 48". The mower decks were not WH strong points! Jeff in Enfield NY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darvinm19 0 #3 Posted April 13, 2011 Hey thanks! I'm going with the cast iron ones! Already got the bearings ordered! Thanks again for the info! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites