Craftsman 42" Deck rattle

[Oldarmy06]

Howdy. Just all of a sudden I am having a loud deck rattle. I've changed the mandrels and ensured the blades are not bent and are not hitting anything. I've taken the bracket and pulley that engages the belt and couldn't find anything worn or broken.

here is a video of it running.

 

[mechanic mark]

post model number from under seat, sounds like deck idler pulley bearings are shot

 

[7394]

If yours has a clutch, the linkage that runs thru a bracket was where my former craftsman started making crazy rattling.
I just wrapped the bracket with a piece of hose that I split lengthwise to insulate the 2 metals from touching .

Quiet as a mouse after... Might be worth a look, rule out the free fixes first imo.

 

[bertsmobile1]

AAnd on the subject of free fixes, remove the belt and check it for deformed patches or missing bits.
Check the deck hangers for cracks and from memory your deck should have a stay from the left side of the frame to the right side of the deck at the rear, check that it is still there and check the bracket it mounts to these have been known to crack.