21" Commercial "Eating" Left Rear Axle Bearings

[McSnapper]

...just picked up what seems to be a great "old" '06 21" Commercial with Kawasaki. It still had plastic front wheels, so I've replaced them with new metal. The only other thing I noticed was that the left rear axle bearing was loose as a goose, so ordered and installed a new one (OEM Snapper part). With one mowing, the new bearing is also shot. I'm as a loss to figure out what's going on...can't afford to buy a new bearing every time I mow . ...just wondering if anyone has related experience? Thanks!

 

[BlazNT]

It just sounds like you got a bad bearing. I would take it back and get a new one.

 

[McSnapper]

It just sounds like you got a bad bearing. I would take it back and get a new one.

Thanks -- that may be the problem. Of course, I bought it online & the dealer will replace if I pay for return shipping...not worth it. I'll try another while trying to figure out if there's anything else going on back there to cause the problem. Mc

 

[Mow Joe]

Whatever caused the first one to fail, most likely caused the new one to fail as well. Another possibility is that it was either damaged upon installation or installed wrong. New bearings aren't just "bad" off the shelf.

 

[McSnapper]

Whatever caused the first one to fail, most likely caused the new one to fail as well. Another possibility is that it was either damaged upon installation or installed wrong. New bearings aren't just "bad" off the shelf.

That's what I'm thinking, and I'm trying to see just what may have caused it. Installation sure seems straightforward...remove adjuster/bearing assembly from axle, 3 screws, press the old out and the new in & put the screws back in, reinstall on axle & adjuster on mower. I did just tonight notice that there's a "little" part that apparently fits on the axle just inboard of the bearing/adjuster (a buck & 1/2 plastic part) that isn't on mine. While I can't "see" what this does or exactly where it goes I'm going to order one, of course. The thing is, the new bearing went on easy and fit tight and functioned as it should -- I just happened to look down when lifting on the handle and noticed that it was "sloppy" like the old one had been after the first mowing. "Nothing difficult is ever easy" :confused2: Thanks for helping me work through what is obviously a relatively small, but frustrating, issue. :thumbsup: