Service Manual

Mid-Mount Z Service Manual 6 - 7
MOWER DECKS
19. Pack both bearings with grease. Smearing
grease on the outside of the bearing is not enough
lubrication. Pack the bearing by hand or use a
bearing packing tool.
20. With the spindle upside down, set the lower
bearing in the bearing cup. Now install the lower
seal. Use a seal driver to prevent damage (Figure
127).
NOTE: Remember to install the seal with the lip
facing out.
Figure 127
0103-002
21. With the spindle right side up, install the small “C”
shaped spacer first, then the small thick spacer.
The order of these two is not critical to the
performance of the spindle, but by putting the
thinner spacer in first, it prevents the possibility of
the open part of the spacer from dropping down
on the thicker spacer.
22. Now install the upper bearing and seal. The upper
seal must face inward. Again, be sure to use a
seal driver.
23. Lubricate both seal lips with grease and insert the
bearing spacer into the lower seal. By inserting
the spacer individually and not with the shaft you
will prevent possible damage to the lower seal.
24. Bolt the assembly back into the deck shell.
25. Install the spindle shaft. Note the shaft will slide
out if not supported.
26. Slide the pulley down onto the shaft and secure
with the washer and nut. Be certain to only use
the washer specified because it is hardened. A
softer washer will deform and spindle damage will
occur. Torque the nut to 100 - 120 ft. lbs. and
rotate the assembly to make sure that it turns
smoothly and freely.
27. Pump grease into the assembly until grease is
relieved pass the lower seal. The ability to relieve
grease without pushing out the seal is why the
lower seal is installed with the lip facing out. Make
sure the blade bolt is threaded into the spindle
shaft or grease will push out that opening.
28. Install the blade and torque the blade bolt to 85 -
110 ft. lbs.
29. Install the drive belts.
30. Replace the deck covers.
31. Remove the machine from the jack stands.