No grease on spindles?

[dsholler 54]

sorry if this is familiar.

I am trying to grease the spindles on my 99 vintage 48SD deck. When I pump grease into the zerk fittings, I do not see any coming out at the bottom around the spindle cup. I was told from an earlier thread that I needed to clear the holes that allowed the grease to exit (at the time, I did not even see them because they were so crudded up). I did clear them (I can see whatever the bright metal piece is under the spindle cup), but still no grease. However, I did figure out where it is going (lots of grease under the belt guard).

is there any way I can clear the path so the grease gets down into the spindles without taking them apart? I confess I am not much of a mechanic, so I try to avoid taking things apart that appear to be working correctly, since it often takes a couple of tries for me to get them back together

Unfortunately, I do not own a compressor, or I would have tried to blow some air into the exit holes. Would putting some kind of solvent (say PB Blaster) into there work? Any tips or advice?

[MalMac 1,332]

You can try it because it does break down the gunk in some cercumstanes but you got to make sure you get it all the way out. or it will continue to break down the new grease. Sometimes you can pump a little grease then turn the spindle, pump a little more and it will work its way down. Try removing the belt or take the tension of the belt so there is no tension on the spindles. More than likely you have got a blockage in there that has to be removed. Over time old grease and dirt , crude just builds up and has to be removed.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,489]

Service bulletin #347 deals with a similar problem

Sealing 36" mower spindles with metric bearings, 05-36MR02+, 05-36MS02+, 05-36XR02+, A5-36XR02+ decks with 109964 spindles with metric bearings O-ring installed under washer at the top of each spindle, If grease comes out the split in the lockwasher add o-ring to older units

Grease will take the path of least resistance.

Garry

[dsholler 54]

Sorry, to be ignorant. WHere do I find this service bulletin?

[dsholler 54]

maybe I should have said. This is part number 78361 and the serial number begins with 99. Bearings are supposed to be 109966, but I have no idea what is actually in there right now.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,489]

The bulletin is posted in the Files of

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wheelhorsetractormanuals8/

named

WH61-90 #347 Sealing 36in mower spindle with o-ring

The o-ring is part # 971015 and a check shows this is common on the hydro systems and also shows up for the later 42" and 48" decks. Illustrated as being placed between the upper bearing and the pulley.

Anyone know the dimensions of this o-ring?

Garry

[dsholler 54]

partstree says that they are still available for $1.30 each...

[BOWTIE 226]

HELLO GARRY, I'M REBUILDING A 1989 48" DECK RIGHT NOW, THE ORINGS IS A 1/16". I ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE THERE TO KEEP WATER FROM RUNNING DOWN THE SHAFTS AND RUSTING UP THE BEARING TO THE SHAFTS. I ALSO HEARD THEY ARE THERE TO KEEP THE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER DURING THE DECK ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY. WHEN I REBUILD THE SPINDLES I DON'T INSTALL THE ORINGS. I ALSO FOUND THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET GREASE TO BYPASS THE SEAL ON THE BEARINGS.

BOWTIE IN OHIO

[dsholler 54]

Well, I guess I will try the PB Blaster trick and see if it helps, but it looks like the solution for it is to take it apart and install o-rings.. trouble is that work and other obligations mean I probably have to mow with it a few more times before I do.

Funny, when I did not know the grease was supposed to come out the bottom, this did not bother me at all.. now I am worried that I am damaging the spindles (not a great thing at $130 a pop) ignorance is bliss.

[B-8074 20]

If it's a sealed assembly you don't want grease to come out, right? I'm not trying to be a smart a$$, cause I really don't know. I don't have grease showing on my spindles, and I put 3 to 4 pumps in every time I mow. I only do that cause when I mow it's an all day job.

[Don1977 605]

I have found that most time something won't take grease it's the grease fitting. Have you tried changing the fitting.