54GT Deck bearing question

[daviddaich]

I have a 1863 with a 54GT deck I bought new in the mid 1990's. It's still in good shape, but the deck is making a lot of noise. I've kept them greased over the years, but it's 30 years old and I assume it's the bearings in the spindles. I've found what I think are replacement bearings.

https://www.amazon.com/HD-Switch-941...s%2C149&sr=8-1

I assume these are Chinese due to the price. I've never really messed with the deck before besides maintenance. Are these bearings good enough? Any advice on changing these out, or other things I should do to the deck while I'm changing these? I let the dealership do everything the first 5 years, but subsequently moved, and have been on my own with it since. I'm a decent mechanic, but don't have a ton of knowledge on garden tractors.

[Ozcub]

Take the deck and spindle belt off , turn spindle pulleys if the are rattly and grindy they need replacing
Not sure of your spindles but on mine I just tapped the old bearings out , took one to a bearing specialist got new Timkens and pressed them in
It is like pulling a plug out of a sink and putting it back in
Easy as and better bearings than the originals , will last a long time
Also go to top of page Cub parts and Service and look up your 1863
Oz

[garydee]

Pretty common bearings...check some auto stores and compare prices. Note the number stamped on the bearings. If you can't find the same bearings your bearing supplier can cross reference them.

Also, if the bearings are really bad you might want to replace the race that each bearing rides on. Don't forget to install the spacers between the bearings!

Probably a good time to replace the seals. Get the metal reinforced seals. Top seals are installed upside down to allow grease to escape.

[daviddaich]

Thanks guys, Greg is offering me a set of Timkens for $110 for the set of 3 with seals and a couple of spare seals because apparently I'm destined climb a learning curve trying to install them. They're not to the point of grindy and loose, just VERY loud. I think the center one is the worst, but after 30 years of use, I'm fine with just replacing them all.

[Rex B]

Both the 48" and 54" decks use A2 (LM11910 and LM11949 bearing sets, which is the most common outer front wheel bearing for American cars and many trailer axles. Check the numbers on your old bearings. Any auto parts store has them.
$10 on Amazon, 2 per spindle. They might be less at your LAPS.

I don't recall the seal number, but any bearing & seal house will have them.
Be sure to install the top and bottom seals with lips facing down. This is counter-intuitive for the bottom one. You want the grease to flow top to bottom and the old grease exit by the blade.

[garydee]

Use a large socket (same as outer seal size) and a mallet to tap seals in place. Be sure to pack bearings with grease and apply a little grease to the races. Install the spacer, bearings and bushings and then the seal on each side.

Finally, install each spindle. Add some large washers to the threaded end and tighten the spindle nut (without the blade on) and check for smooth operation.

If ok, pump additional grease through the zerk fitting on top of each pulley. Clean up excess grease, remove spindle nut and replace the test washers with the bearing shield, blade, washer and nut.

[spndncash]

not to throw you off track but have you checked the tensioner pulley? that unfortunately does not have a replaceable or even greaseable bearing in it. I have had to replace that idler at about a four to one ratio with my spindle bearings

[daviddaich]

Originally Posted by spndncash

not to throw you off track but have you checked the tensioner pulley? that unfortunately does not have a replaceable or even greaseable bearing in it. I have had to replace that idler at about a four to one ratio with my spindle bearings

I replaced it a couple of years ago. But I will check it when I change the blade bearings. Thanks.

[daviddaich]

Thanks for all the tips.

[Cannon51]

I started rebuilding my GT48 deck about 9 years ago. Old thread.
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=38124
Cannon