[mike melillo]

Originally Posted by OffTime

The service manual is correct.

I don't agree

As long as the bearing spins freely, you may never notice any difference.

I agree

However, the purpose of the lock collar is to lock the bearing to the shaft.

I agree

If the lock collar was to be locked opposite the rotation of the crankshaft, being that the set screws lock the collar to the shaft, any movement in direction of normal rotation would unlock the collar from the bearing. Lock collar must be locked counterclockwise or in same direction as rotation of the crankshaft

I dont agree. I think your saying opposing things. First, I’m not saying the set screw should be binding the coupling of the collar. The collar binds the bearing to the shaft, and the set screw keeps the collar from moving. However the direction you wind up the collar should oppose the direction of rotation, not be tightened with the direction of rotation. Locking in the direction of rotation may result in unlocking the collar. But with that said it also still requires the set screw to come loose, be galled across the bearing, and or something else to fail (like the bearing going bad as you indicated.

In reality, I have locked these both ways and never had any problem, for that very reason. But the most redundant way is to lock the collar in the opposite direction of the crank rotation, which in this case is clockwise. My self doubt was because there is always another way to see a situation.

After more than 30 years of being a mechanic I can tell you that you need to think open-mindedly about mechanical problems because there are often a lot of ways you can view the situation. Being willing to allow yourself to be wrong is far more valuable then always thinking your way of thinking is absolute.

Philosophy aside, I still make stupid mistakes from time to time.


I have attached an image of the late model bearings (direct from Cub Cadet) showing the clip, and groove.

Mike