2014 Troy bilt 42 in cut. Idler arm issues

[marionr26]

So my idler arm when blade lever is up which blades are disengaged my idler arm with pulley just lays on the deck. I can take hand on the back of arm and press down and the pulley and arm will raise up a few inches then release and clock the pulley is back laying on the deck. Not sure but bushing in the arm has a little side to side wiggle. The bolt holding the arm to the deck was tight as possible. The pulley has a tiny bit of wiggle in it as well. My belt keeps coming off soon as the engagement lever gets all the way down. Half way down the blades turn but cant hold half way and cut and soon as it gets down the belt pops off. So I have ordered a new idler arm and bushing along with a new pulley for the arm also the brake rod that fits in the end of arm. That got messed up trying to remove it cause it didnt want to just come out so I used a dremel tool. Hopefully all this keeps my belt on been fighting this issue all summer finally replacing it. Maybe the hole the arm that holds bushing got stretched out. Anyone had this issue?????

 

[marionr26]

So my idler arm when blade lever is up which blades are disengaged my idler arm with pulley just lays on the deck. I can take hand on the back of arm and press down and the pulley and arm will raise up a few inches then release and clock the pulley is back laying on the deck. Not sure but bushing in the arm has a little side to side wiggle. The bolt holding the arm to the deck was tight as possible. The pulley has a tiny bit of wiggle in it as well. My belt keeps coming off soon as the engagement lever gets all the way down. Half way down the blades turn but cant hold half way and cut and soon as it gets down the belt pops off. So I have ordered a new idler arm and bushing along with a new pulley for the arm also the brake rod that fits in the end of arm. That got messed up trying to remove it cause it didnt want to just come out so I used a dremel tool. Hopefully all this keeps my belt on been fighting this issue all summer finally replacing it. Maybe the hole the arm that holds bushing got stretched out. Anyone had this issue?????View attachment 71660

 

[marionr26]

View attachment 71662

 

[marionr26]

So my idler arm when blade lever is up which blades are disengaged my idler arm with pulley just lays on the deck. I can take hand on the back of arm and press down and the pulley and arm will raise up a few inches then release and clock the pulley is back laying on the deck. Not sure but bushing in the arm has a little side to side wiggle. The bolt holding the arm to the deck was tight as possible. The pulley has a tiny bit of wiggle in it as well. My belt keeps coming off soon as the engagement lever gets all the way down. Half way down the blades turn but cant hold half way and cut and soon as it gets down the belt pops off. So I have ordered a new idler arm and bushing along with a new pulley for the arm also the brake rod that fits in the end of arm. That got messed up trying to remove it cause it didnt want to just come out so I used a dremel tool. Hopefully all this keeps my belt on been fighting this issue all summer finally replacing it. Maybe the hole the arm that holds bushing got stretched out. Anyone had this issue?????View attachment 71660

 

[StarTech]

It is a common wear issue and you may have to do three other things.

1. Weld the idler deck mounting area on the deck and grind it to level. Just depends how bad the area is worn.
2. Grind or file the new step bushing so there is less clearance between the idler arm and washer that is next to the deck. But don't remove too much and have zero clearance.
3. Replace the washer between the stepped bushing and the deck. Most likely it is nearly worn completely away.

And of all things make sure the belt retainer is in place. And the brake rod is keyed to the idler arm.

I keep these parts in stock as I repair several deck for idler arm every year.

 

[marionr26]

I have these coming and a pulley so hope this helps dont have access to having anything welded for sure hope this works without welding