ZForce Owner Needs Deck & Spindle Tech Info

[therock]

Hi Folks,

I have a 2003 ZForce 44" 18HP Intek. I believe it was the 1 year they were introduced?

After 10 years I need to service a spindle and some pulleys.

I purchased a low cost "China Bearing" spindle and it has noticeable end play. How much would you put up with? I am really regretting not staying with Timken and will most likely back up and punt that way.

I need advice on how to reattach the deck and still have the spring assist all the way to the top or highest level position. Some how I have did something out of sequence or something spring wise has slipped because I now have to release the lock lever and pull it up to the top tow positions.

EDIT:

I picked up a single set of Timkens and installed them in one of my OE spindle and if there is play its under .001. That's more like it. The China bearing equipped spindle had .015.

On the deck, I still need to know why I failed to get the spring assist strength at the top of the motion.

Thanks

[Sam Mac]

I have never seen one of these but looking at the parts site I see 2 springs on the "Lift Assembly" maybe one is missing, not hooked up or they are just tired? Just a guess on my part.

[therock]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

I have never seen one of these but looking at the parts site I see 2 springs on the "Lift Assembly" maybe one is missing, not hooked up or they are just tired? Just a guess on my part.

Thanks, they are pretty hidden and I did hear a pop like something notching in or out of place while I was working on the deck. I was like - "What was that?".

I'll have a look tomorrow.

[therock]

No chance to look at the deck lift system but I did the forensics on my center spindle bearing.

It was making a slight noise when spun with the belt off but no end play was noticeable. The the other two are silent.

I have done lots of work with cup & cone bearings for a living and had to manage prevention from water damage in an extreme manner and what I see is just that.

I was mowing and had to hit a wet ditch a few times, something I have always avoided in the past, and knew in my head I was going to do a 10 year inspection and refurb anyways so I did what I had to do.

The pic below shows signs of moisture allowed to sit in the bearing. This happens like sweating copper tubing and how the heat draws the solder in. I mowed, and washed the mower down, and let it dry. Hind sight says I should have purged the bearings with grease but......... after 10 years I was kind of planning on doing the spindles anyways.

Anyway, I thought I would share the image and if I ever get her wet again she will be purged before it cools. This is why I never wash down a hot or warm engine or motor of any kind.

[Sam Mac]

You caught that one just in time. Nice to see an owner that has clue about all things mechanical. Great job.

[ACecil]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

You caught that one just in time. Nice to see an owner that has clue about all things mechanical. Great job.

X2!

[therock]

Thanks,
One thing I will do after my next wash down hot or not is hit the Zerks and run the blades a little.

There will be no more ditch diving, that was a 1st and last experiment.