Rebuilding John Deere Deck Spindles (Part 2)

Part 2 of 2 for rebuilding the original style sealed bearing spindles that John Deere using is it mower decks from the 1960's through the late 1980's and early 1990's. Part 2 covers spindle reassembly.
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[@billhendrickson5506]

I rework all my spindles and idler pulleys. If I have to install new bearings I first take off the bearing end caps and pack them with Lucas red grease. The reason I repack new bearings is because from the factory the grease they use is NOT high temp like the Lucas sticky red. After I repack my bearings they last almost forever.

[@dsul629]

Thanks very much for the video. I'm rebuilding the exact style spindles and wasn't sure about reassembly. Very helpful!

[@gregolson5532]

Thanks for the load. It will be good for the new kids starting to buy these old machines. I posted links on the FB pages!

[@ApothecaryRdy]

True comment, not really a kid but was gifted older lawnmower for first house, and this was one of things that had to be done, great video!

[@gregolson5532]

@@ApothecaryRdy I am referring to future watchers not you sir but you probably are a kid to me. LOL!

[@skippy55008]

You Put the pulley on upside down...

[@mmrbeef]

It sure is!!!! I didn't catch that until I read your comment! Oops

[@captainedc]

Nice job. If i am correct most of these spindles on Garden Tractors JOHN DEERE used were the same. From the 38 up to the 50 and perhaps 60. In fact even some of the ones from the STX38 type machines. I used a few parts from an STX38 deck I had lying around and they were identical. JD was famous for not reinventing the wheel witb parts and implements. I think i might try making a JIG of sorts to use my 20 ton press to do those hubs more easily. Maybe using an old brake drum.

[@ApothecaryRdy]

This was super helpful thank you

[@mmrbeef]

Glad the video was able to help!

[@paulg444]

Good thing he didnt put any anti-seize on the mandrill and pulley during reassembly.. I would hate for anything to be easier next time.

[@mmrbeef]

I like a challenge! To be honest most any anti-seize compound will be wiped off when the mandrel is installed in the bearings and I highly doubt the deck shell on most of these decks would make it to the need for a new set of bearings.

[@andybrooks4070]

im doing this on my 112L, but im having one hell of a time taking out one of the spindle keys, ive tried it all, now just letting the penetrating oil do its work

[@fixtritephil7712]

Don't you have a HD vise?

[@brandoncovert6545]

I'm rebuilding a 60 inch deck. 1 spindle went together good. The other 2 I cant tighten down the spindle nut without it causing the spindle to have resistance. I have the older style deck with woodruff key. Is it possible that I dont have 1 of the bearings in far enough causing it to bind? I compared the 2 spindles to the bad one and it seems like the spacer below the pulley sits up higher then the one that went together good and spins freely. It's just when I tighten down the nut it seems to bind it up. I ordered another 2 HD switch rebuild kits to try them again.

[@Rusty-Metal]

Doing an early series 60 inch on my 445. This has a single seal, and the lower bearing is sealed with the top open using the press in seal. My God the bearing to shaft is a serious interference fit. Gonna freeze the shaft and heat the bearings slightly before trying to reinstall.

[@brandoncovert6545]

You need to clean up the spindle. I've had to on every 60 inch deck I've rebuilt.

[@ryanj2071]

@@brandoncovert6545 tabs Thanks for the tip. I'm midway through my 50 inch rebuild and assembly of the first spindle was ridiculous! Gonna clean the other 2 up with some lite Emory cloth or something

[@robertdelred]

Are there 2 or 3 spindles ?

[@thibaultpeyrelongue4237]

Thanks for the video ! Can you share the link for the bearings ? I have to rebuild the spindles on my JD 332... I may have to change the pulley too, if you have any good reference for it...

[@Skynet-1]

👍

[@cursingyeti2882]

So no grease needed? I took mine apart and there was a lot of grease in to but it sounded terrible, im also having trouble getting the main double pull off of my model 47 deck for my 1980 214

[@lancenorton1117]

A little bit late now but a good rule of thumb is to fill the shaft about 50 percent full of grease.

[@ryanj2071]

@@lancenorton1117 thanks. I had the same question. I'm assuming to help dissipate heat around the spacer and between the bearings?

[@jtw37]

I have a JD 317 and need to replace the bearings like the spindles you are working on. Could you provide the bearing link on Amazon? Thanks.

[@fixtritephil7712]

Never sieze on pully ID...

[@jackolson6479]

I’ve also been looking at 445’s and 455’s. Which is better out of the three that has less cosmetic issues, the 430, 445 or 455? And which is best to plow with?

[@mmrbeef]

To plow with as in bottom plow? I would say the 430. They are just beasts!!!

[@jackolson6479]

mmrbeef Just to snow plow, since the quarantine with school off for till may, ive been looking for a tractor to fix up and been looking at a sears suburban, are they good tractors? It has a briggs

[@haydenschneider3]

I pump mine full of grease so it will last longer

[@mmrbeef]

There isn't much for the grease to do.The bearings do all the work so adding grease to the internal part of the spindle doesn't really help much. At least that is my experience. Of course it doesn't hurt anything either.

[@haydenschneider3]

mmrbeef I always do it. Last time I did it I can’t remember if I took the seal off though 😬

[@parkerbirch1475]

If its full of grease how would water get in there to pool on the bearing in the first place? I thought water destroyed all those bearings? Why would anyone say not to fill the spindle housing with grease? How hard is it to install a grease fitting where there was none?

[@walterlamb4756]

When I installed new bearings, I also added a grease fitting on the the underneath side of the hub. I also removed the inner bearing seals, and drilled the spacers so the grease could reach the new bearings. Have NEVER had any trouble since.

[@haydenschneider3]

@@walterlamb4756 yep. Grease does wonders and makes them last longer