Do Your Nuts Have Dimples?

[SeniorCitizen]

If your JD has blade nuts with dimples sell them as scrap iron and replace them with nuts without dimples. The dimple will clearly be visible on a hex flat. Below is a copied post that tells the end result sooner or later. This is a grave error on John Deere's part and there will never be a recall but you will eventually get to purchase a new blade spindle assembly (s) because of it.
***************************************************************
Copied:

This past weekend I went to remove the mowing deck blades for the first time. I found one spindle that may have an issue. The nut was difficult to remove even when not compressed against the blade. Once I removed the blade I tried hand tightening the nut on the spindle and it wouldn't budge. It feels like it is stripped but I can't visibly see damage.

 

[gtojer]

That dimple is a method of locking the nut. If you remove it and replace with a regular nut, make sure you use some blue locktite, not the red as that requires heat ro remove it.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

That dimple is a method of locking the nut. If you remove it and replace with a regular nut, make sure you use some blue locktite, not the red as that requires heat ro remove it.

Do what ever makes you feel good but I've found in the past 3 years thread locker of any kind is not necessary if there is a cupped lock washer such as the LA series has. I've had mine off at least 10 times for maintenance and discovered that a plain jane 5/8" fine thread nut isn't going anywhere.

 

[gtojer]

You may very well be right, as you have more experience with these lawn toys. My experience is with cars and submarines. Anytime I replaced a staked nut (dimple) I always provide a means for locking it since that is what the engineer who designed it came up with.

 

[Lawnranger]

My nuts do not have any dimples. I use the retaining nut and washer that originally came on the tractor and have not had any problems.

 

[chance123]

Many times I will use speed nuts. These are nuts with a flange and the flange has serrations on it that lock it on. Almost like a ratchet, they slip when tightening (CW) and grip when removing them (CCW . These shouldn't be re-used because once you remove them, you also remove the rough grip which is in the design of the nut.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

You may very well be right, as you have more experience with these lawn toys. My experience is with cars and submarines. Anytime I replaced a staked nut (dimple) I always provide a means for locking it since that is what the engineer who designed it came up with.

************************************************************
Actually I've had more experience with a dry land sub engine ( MEP ) dual crank 6 cyl. - opposed piston driving a gas compressor ( WWII era ) and TLA Clarks that have piston and rod assemblies that weigh around 1,200 than I have toys.

The original post was to alert owners of those certain JD mowers that have dimpled lock nuts to get rid of them because they aren't necessary and they will eventually screw up the shaft threads.

 

[chance123]

Sorry, but seeing this topic every time I open this forum, brings a smile to my face. LOL