Question:
Does
this nut need to be undone in order to remove the stamped housing?
(I'd just take it off to test, but don't have a socket big enough on hand)
I ask because I pulled the spindle off the deck as suggested, and was able to pull off part 6, but part 7 (stamped housing) is seized. I was able to pry it down creating about a quarter of an inch of separation between part 5 and 7, but that was it.
So either it's really seized on, or somehow the nut on top of the spindle is holding it on (seems unlikely as I was able to pry it a bit).
I tried this on both the problematic spindle (middle) and the left spindle for comparison. Both seemed seized.
In other news, I did manage to pick up another 44a deck locally that needs some work, but is in much better shape. None of the deck is rusted through, and the spindles are all sound. And, as a bonus, it appears to have the newer aluminum housing spindles with the replaceable bearings.
Given this, I'll probably abandon fixing the spindle on the first deck, but I still wanted to ask this question as I continue to learn and tinker with my cub cadet. : )