Spindle failure

Davenj4f

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ISX2200, 52", FT730V EFI
I keep having to replace or rebuild my spindles. I can rebuild them in my sleep I think. I do some heavy duty cutting, fields, pastures, bunch of lawns. I chew up small limbs at times, finger size, even shave the top of a root on occasion. Don't hit bricks, etc. I have two other Ferris mowers, never have had a spindle problem, doing the same type mowing. I grease the spindles at least twice a week, sometimes more. I use either Mobile 1, or Lucas Red and Tacky. Both are NLGI 2.
Spindle 5104744.
Trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong. Anyone else having same issues ??
 

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The replacement spindles typically have sealed bearing installed. The spindles need to be taken apart and the inner bearing seals removed from the bearings so new grease can get to them and not just fill up the spindle tube.

Replacement spindles are not made to the same standards as the originals. They are cheap, quick and designed to fail.
 

Davenj4f

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The replacement spindles typically have sealed bearing installed. The spindles need to be taken apart and the inner bearing seals removed from the bearings so new grease can get to them and not just fill up the spindle tube.

Replacement spindles are not made to the same standards as the originals. They are cheap, quick and designed to fail.
Thanks for the reply. You are correct about 3rd party replacements. Never had much luck with any of them. When I bought all new units, I got them from the dealer. Came in boxes with B&S stickers on them. When I rebuilt them, I used Briggs & Stratton parts. Bearings, trash shields, and armatures. The bearings only had seals on one side. The open sides faced towards the center, towards each other so grease would get in the races.
 

SeniorCitizen

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The replacement spindles typically have sealed bearing installed. The spindles need to be taken apart and the inner bearing seals removed from the bearings so new grease can get to them and not just fill up the spindle tube.

Replacement spindles are not made to the same standards as the originals. They are cheap, quick and designed to fail.
Is there any measures to prevent pushing the remaining seals out .
 

sgkent

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what makes you think the spindles are bad? Noise? Rough running? Belt jumping off?
 

Davenj4f

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what makes you think the spindles are bad? Noise? Rough running? Belt jumping off?
Good morning. The spindle would rattle, be loose. I could feel the roughness in the deck lift pedal. After disassembling, the bearing are very loose. I'm using Briggs & Stratton parts, proper part number. Sealed on one side, sealed side installed to the outside, just like the original.
 

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Hello Davenj4f,

Most people drill a 1/8" weep hole near the top (on the side) of the spindle housings. This allows heat expansion pressure and grease a small escape path
 

Davenj4f

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Hello Davenj4f,

Most people drill a 1/8" weep hole near the top (on the side) of the spindle housings. This allows heat expansion pressure and grease a small escape path
The spindles already have a weep plug at the bottom. After two days of mowing, i can pump 10-15 times to fill back up with grease. I was wondering where does the grease go ? The only place is out the weep hole that I can figure. Are you suggesting that I add another at the top ? Interesting thought, but wondering if that would help. Guess I forgot to add that there was a weep hole at the bottom. That's what I watch for grease to exit when adding grease.
 

Davenj4f

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The spindles already have a weep plug at the bottom. After two days of mowing, i can pump 10-15 times to fill back up with grease. I was wondering where does the grease go ? The only place is out the weep hole that I can figure. Are you suggesting that I add another at the top ? Interesting thought, but wondering if that would help. Guess I forgot to add that there was a weep hole at the bottom. That's what I watch for grease to exit when adding grease.
Forgot to add, it's usually the bottom bearing that goes bad.
 

Auto Doc's

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Honestly, I would plug the bottom weep hole and put one in the top. With a weep hole at the bottom, it will never keep grease for very long once hot.
 
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