48 Side Discharge Deck - Spindle Bearings - Sealed?

I'm getting ready to replace the spindle bearings on my 48" Side Discharge Deck. This is a 1992 Model #: 15-48SC03.

I've been checking for bearing all over the place. The prices vary widely. Generic bearings seem to be a 6203-2RS Ball Bearings, 17x40x12mm. These are sealed on both sides and I see the Toro bearings are open on the inboard side. I know I can easily remove the seal on one side of the bearing. But I wonder how grease flows through these spindles. Pumping grease from the top should just push grease through the bearings and then past the outboard seals. Seems awkward to me, would it not just blow out the seals?

Has anyone just left both seals in place and not bothered with the grease?

Kurt I don't own a 48" deck but see that they don't have a separate top seal like my 42" decks do. If the grease hole on your spindle shaft exits below the top bearing I'd just pull the inboard seals and grease them as usual. Take a look at your grease zerks and see if they have a slot cut in the side of them to relieve pressure and help prevent blowing the seal like the one below.

That looks exactly like my spindle Major. A slot makes some sense to me. When I rebuilt my finishing mower several years ago, it had a weep hole at the bottom of the housing that did exactly like your slot. I'll check it out when I get this apart

Thanks,

Kurt

Kurt did you get the spindle bearings replaced? How did it come out?

M Bailey wrote: Kurt did you get the spindle bearings replaced? How did it come out?

That old "honey do" list, a holiday weekend, and the weather have me backed up. I have the bearings, now all I need is some time. I mowed with the deck this afternoon, no doubt to right side spindle bearings are going. I'll keep you posted.

M Bailey wrote: Kurt did you get the spindle bearings replaced? How did it come out?

Well Major, I got started. I pulled the deck off the 520H this morning. Took off the covers and removed the spindle belt. I flipped over the deck and checked the three spindles. The center seem to be like new. Both outboard spindle spuns very easy, but feel a bit rough. Not so bad that I would say they are shot.

I'm not sure what to do now. The deck was making two noises. One was the spindle belt slapping the frame, and the other was just a harshess, more of a vibration, but not a real bearing howl. If the pulleys come off without a lot of fuss, I think will go ahead and replace at least the outboard bearings. I would do the center also, but the housing flange is cracked. I think I will leave well enough alone.

Did I mention how much I hate scraping rotting, wet, grass from the underside of a deck!

Kurt it sounds like most of the problems are with the outboard spindle bearings, creating the vibration and noise including the belt slap. I'd just proceed just as you planned and would that bet it takes care of most of the racket. While you have the deck off I highly recommend installing at least 2 washout ports on your big 48" deck to alleviate the caked on grass situation, they really do work and would help eliminate rust holes in the future.
Keep us posted!

Well, I got lucky. The pulleys came right off and the spindle shaft slid right out. The right side spindle spring clip was not in its groove and the bearing had slid down. That may be my entire problem.

Now comes the messy part. Lots of clean up and I hope the bearings tap out without any problem.

Thanks for the help.

Kurt

Geno wrote: I've been watching this one and keeping quiet, Major has you covered Kurt.

You are quite right Geno. Major has been a big help. His other post with pictures showed me exactly what to expect.

Kurt