Can you grab the blade and wiggle it and get up and down movement?
And check to see if you have same number of washers on each, not that, that would give you a choppy cut:bigthink:
When you get it figured out, you'll like the way these decks cut.http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=22197
Here is a link to my 44c deck rebuild, may help.

I gave it a good wiggle Todd. The blade does not move and is rock solid. The bearings may be fine. Perhaps the blades were not balanced when put on? All the blades have the same amount of washers.

Don't know now. I would think something would be floppy if the bearings were shot.
You mentioned they were new blades, correct? Try taking them off and check for balance, maybe a factory flaw:bigthink:
But with the belt off everything works smooth right? Could your deck be twisted from a PO mishap?

It is possible that their was a prior mishap. Blades are new. It is a fairly smooth deck, but the 50" is extremely quiet. It is getting welds on Friday. I've moved the deck wheels down a notch. I will see how that mows in a few days. I will report back if good or more analysis needed. At least I know I like the cut of the 50!