ariens mower deck help PLEASE

[jeep0.5]

Trying to replace the spindle bearings can't get the hub (#62) off. Looking at the exploded view it looks like it's just keyed with a woodruff key (#41) and should press, pull or pound out. I've gone too far to abort so now I need to get this off. Tried all kinds of tricks, heat, lots of lube, big hammers. Machine is a 93 and I don't think they've ever been out before. Please help

Thanks

AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH

[olcowhand]

It will HAVE TO BE pulled off. Pounding on shaft just whacks the key against the bearing, stopping things cold. Likely will require heating good & hot to break it loose. First try mild propane torch heat, then melting candle wax into joint. Wax can break death-grip tight parts. If that fails, then heat the hub with acet. torch till very hot to expand it. Avoid directly heating the shaft. When she's good & hot, use a good 3 or 4-jaw puller. That oughta get it off!

[dangeroustoys56]

I couldnt begin to say how many times ive had issues with trying to replace berings on mower decks.

Id say sock the heat to it and try pulling it off, or try freezing it? Worse comes to worse- if y have room, cut the bering off or use a cold chisel.

Ive also herd a trick is to soak rusty parts in cokacola ( the soda) for like a week then try pulling it apart.

Its never easy....

[jeep0.5]

Got the first side off, lots of pounding and damaging threads. Was able to weld it up, turn it down and cut new threads on the lathe at work. There isn't much to get a puller on there.

That was the one I HAD to change, the other side's not coming apart until winter...should be able to make it through till then.

Going to make a couple mods though. Gonna cut the clearance hole bigger so the whole spindle assembly can come out. Then a guy can set the spindle assembly up in a vice instead of wrestling the hole deck around. Also going to reinstall with a generous application of 'never sieze', and going to make a point of taking it apart every season to prevent it rusting all together again.

Awesome machine..... Stupid design

Thanks guys

[dangeroustoys56]

Yeah everything i take apart, from exhaust manifolds to brakes on transaxles gets a coat of never seize.

Oddly sometimes even using it, they come apart sorta hard- specially the 3 bolt MTD blades.

I forgot y can machine stuff- heck if it comes down to it y can make whole new mandrel shafts.

I should also mention a thing i tried on a couple tractors- after taking the mandrels apart, while apart i drilled n tapped it for a grease fitting- i used lock tite on the fitting threads to hold it in there. We'll see how it holds up- after dumping about $25 in new berings into those mandrels.

Almost forgot- i actually found lucas oil grease- its supposed to be really good- i bot 2 tubes of it.