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JD 135 spindles

#1

G

gatorblade

A friend just replaced the front 2 spindles and wheel races on his JD 135 after his second mowing season. He mows a half acre. He greased at least every 3 mows. The spindles each had 1 flat spot about 1/4 worn. Just out of the warranty. The spindles had to be soft . Anyone had this problem? thanks Gatorblade


#2

K

KennyV

I have been hearing more & more disappointment lately regarding not just JD but other top name mowers... The parts and pieces are just Not of the quality you have became custom to expect... :smile:KennyV


#3

R

Rivets

Most of the lower end JD's are now being built by MTD. You can only get the old JD quality if you purchase the high end models. Same as Toro, Cub Cadet, and other major brands. It has gotten so bad that when asked by customers what tractor I would recommend, I answer " I don't know, because I am not seeing anything where quality and price are equal in any machine under $2500. We have discontinued selling any tractors under $3000. We do keep looking to find a line which we like, but haven't found one yet. It may sound like a bad decision, but because we are known to stand behind our equipment, we hope in the long run it won't come back to haunt us.


#4

Fish

Fish

A few years back, had a customer bring his Dixie Chopper in just out of warranty, all of his spindles were totally shot, even had bearing pieces falling out of the races, the underside of the deck was covered/dripping with grease. Of course he was shouting warranty, I called him up and said, "You grease your mower a lot, don't you"???

He came back with a shout, "HELL YEAH!!!!!"

I told him, well that is likely why your bearings failed....


#5

G

gatorblade

Thanks for the info. To KennyV and Rivets. My father-inlaw always buys the residential mowers. I just thought he was rough on them. He has had at least 3 or 4 top brand mowers in 30+yrs, not cheap to buy but the quality is lacking. He bought his first JD, which is not starting out to good. As for Fish's reply. Iv'e heard over greasing blade spindles can cause problems . Sorry for the confusion, I should have referred to the front wheel axles, instead of spindles. If these are over greased the grease just comes out into the rubber cap. I guess one could actually pop the cap off! I mow 3+ acres with an 02 Hustler Z 60". Other than the paint not sticking on certain spots on the deck my only other problem was last season my blades wouldn't engauge when hot. Thanks again to KennyV and Rivets input, I adjusted the clutch as told , OK since. I guess this was on me as the clutch should be checked after so many hours. First real mower Iv'e had. Made in the USA was my first priority. Our church has a Bobcat 35hp 72" to mow 10 of the roughest acres. After 8 yrs. still going. Just a few things like height adjustment, and access to things I liked better on the Hustler. They both are too loud!


#6

reynoldston

reynoldston

Fish said:
A few years back, had a customer bring his Dixie Chopper in just out of warranty, all of his spindles were totally shot, even had bearing pieces falling out of the races, the underside of the deck was covered/dripping with grease. Of course he was shouting warranty, I called him up and said, "You grease your mower a lot, don't you"???

He came back with a shout, "HELL YEAH!!!!!"

I told him, well that is likely why your bearings failed....[/QUO

I agree with Fish here. If you are greasing your bearings every three mowing's you are over greasing your bearings. Your bearings get packed with too much grease and the grease can't do its job. Too much isn't always better.
Click to expand...


#7

G

gatorblade

Thanks reynoldston for your input. My first rider was a 76 craftsman with no grease zirks. I pulled the front wheels, smeared the grease on the axle and that was it. If I put too much on, it was forced out installing the wheel. The axles way out lasted the rest of the mower! The JD is the same only with a zirk. The clearance being close between the axle and race and as long as the grease has somewhere to go I don't see how there could be too much in there. I thought the metal tube in the wheel would wear before the expensive axle. Well enough of my excuses why it shouldn't have happend. I'm sure my father-in-law will be less generous with the grease and we will see in 2 yrs. He's 88 and I will have to watch him like a Hawk!!! Thanks for all the input from everyone. Gatorblade


#8

Fish

Fish

The vast majority of the spindles out there have sealed bearings anyway, they are there to make folks feel better........ and all of them have seals on the outer side. Greasing them until you hear a pop and see
the grease ooze out, usually means that you have damaged the seals, and the grease will keep oozing out, and water and dirt can now come in and do the serious damage.


#9

PJ

PJ

gatorblade said:
A friend just replaced the front 2 spindles and wheel races on his JD 135 after his second mowing season. He mows a half acre. He greased at least every 3 mows. The spindles each had 1 flat spot about 1/4 worn. Just out of the warranty. The spindles had to be soft . Anyone had this problem? thanks Gatorblade
Click to expand...

Hi

One must be careful on greasing the spindle bearings looking at the bearings you get " sealed bearings and bearings fitted with dust covers" Sealed bearings can not be greased without popping the seal. Once the seal is popped the bearing is damaged and will be destroyed if running for long period in dirty conditions. Bearings with dust covers can be greases but not over greased.

Regards
PJ


#10

G

gatorblade

Thanks Fish and PJ for your input. Somewhere along my postings I confused everyone into thinking the mower in question has front wheel bearings. I like giving and receiving info on this and other sites, though my giving is limited. My father-in-law don't ask questions, if it's broke he gets the parts and fixes it being a GM retired machine repairman. I called Reynolds JD this morning where he purchased the mower. The service manager said in this case new sleeves are pressed in the rims and new spindles installed. Then according to the area mowed each time, this would determin how often greased. In our case a half acre + would be after two mowings. To be sure, pop the wheel and see if any grease is left, then grease accordingly. With the yellow cap off, grease till it starts to come out then you will know how many squirts next time it takes. Bottom line he said both spindles were out of grease for a time and once the flat spot developed it went down hill from there no matter the amount of grease was applied after that. Thanks for everyone being so patient . I'll do better next time if I'm not ejected from this site!


#11

Fish

Fish

Looking at the front wheels on your unit, has the oilite type "bushings" so they have no seals, I misread your post. I still cannot imagine 1/4" flat spots on either though
as the wheel is rotated constantly in the bushings, so if they had bad wear, they would just be wallowed out badly and real sloppy. You might contact JD directly
and see if they had any problems, but if the parts were replaced by someone other than a dealer, I doubt that they would do much. See if you can round up the parts
and take some pics, and I will show them to our local JD dealer and see if he has had anything similar.


#12

G

gatorblade

Fish
Glad we are on the same page. I will try for some spindle pictures thursday. Iv'e not done pics, but my wife is good at that. Thanks!


#13

G

gatorblade

Hi Fish! I think we've got the pics here for you to view on photobucket. Just click on this link:
DSC08115_zpsba7cac45.jpg Photo by DickStrough1 | Photobucket


#14

Fish

Fish

Those are rough as hell, looks like someone used valve grinding paste instead of grease!!!!!! I would definitely contact Deere, but if the dealer didn't see it or do the work, they might not be helpful, but then again, they might!!!


#15

G

gatorblade

Hi Fish
Talked to a JD service manager from a big dealer in Indianapolis. He said that kind of wear would be the norm for 300 hrs. even if they were greased proper. I said the mower has 193 hrs. He said that was in the mid wear range, so there must bent rods causing the wheel angle to be off. Said they can be straightened or buy adjusting rods to get the perfect alignment. My father-in-law said he would be selling before he buys anything else for the mower. Before he runs on the new spindles this spring, we will find the problem. Like I said, having to take off the wheel and hand grease the spindle on the mowers without the grease zirks, I never have seen any wear close to this. My father-in-law won't complain or ask questions, if he thinks it's not right or wears out to soon, he simply buys a different brand. I'm holding him back though for now, but look out this spring! Thanks for your input. gatorblade


#16

G

gatorblade

gatorblade said:
A friend just replaced the front 2 spindles and wheel races on his JD 135 after his second mowing season. He mows a half acre. He greased at least every 3 mows. The spindles each had 1 flat spot about 1/4 worn. Just out of the warranty. The spindles had to be soft . Anyone had this problem? thanks Gatorblade
Click to expand...
I have pics on page 13.


#17

PJ

PJ

gatorblade said:
I have pics on page 13.
Click to expand...

Hi Gatorblade sorry I cannot find page 13 help!


#18

Fish

Fish

There is a link to pics on post #13


#19

Fish

Fish

gatorblade said:
Hi Fish
Talked to a JD service manager from a big dealer in Indianapolis. He said that kind of wear would be the norm for 300 hrs. even if they were greased proper. I said the mower has 193 hrs. He said that was in the mid wear range, so there must bent rods causing the wheel angle to be off. Said they can be straightened or buy adjusting rods to get the perfect alignment. My father-in-law said he would be selling before he buys anything else for the mower. Before he runs on the new spindles this spring, we will find the problem. Like I said, having to take off the wheel and hand grease the spindle on the mowers without the grease zirks, I never have seen any wear close to this. My father-in-law won't complain or ask questions, if he thinks it's not right or wears out to soon, he simply buys a different brand. I'm holding him back though for now, but look out this spring! Thanks for your input. gatorblade
Click to expand...

I have worked on this stuff a long time, and that kind of wear I have only seen on tractors with bent axles or similar damage. For him to say that this is "normal" is
mind blowing. Is the wear similar on both sides, or just the one side?


#20

G

gatorblade

PJ said:
Hi Gatorblade sorry I cannot find page 13 help!
Click to expand...

Hi PJ
Fish helped me out. I meant post 13 on page 2 sorry!


#21

G

gatorblade

Fish said:
I have worked on this stuff a long time, and that kind of wear I have only seen on tractors with bent axles or similar damage. For him to say that this is "normal" is
mind blowing. Is the wear similar on both sides, or just the one side?
Click to expand...

It is similar, but one side has a lot more wear than the other. (1/4-inch on one side; 1/8-inch on the other)


#22

G

gatorblade

gatorblade said:
I have pics on page 13.
Click to expand...

Sorry..........I meant to say I have pics on POST 13.


#23

T

tbird

PJ said:
Hi

One must be careful on greasing the spindle bearings looking at the bearings you get " sealed bearings and bearings fitted with dust covers" Sealed bearings can not be greased without popping the seal. Once the seal is popped the bearing is damaged and will be destroyed if running for long period in dirty conditions. Bearings with dust covers can be greases but not over greased.

Regards
PJ
Click to expand...

Well if you grease the spindles as jd says, they still don't last. We need an exact procedure for greasing or find a better spindle. I greased one spindle 14 pumps before it got tight.......I would say it had no grease. Didn't last much longer either. My mower has 3 spindles.....constantly replacing one or more.


#24

Carscw

Carscw

If you give me your bearing part number I can have my bearing guy tell me the best one to use.

I was replacing bearings every 100 hours on my cub. He gave me better bearings that lasted over 500 hours.

You cam also get a seal for the top and bottom that helps keep dust out


#25

T

tbird

Carscw said:
If you give me your bearing part number I can have my bearing guy tell me the best one to use.

I was replacing bearings every 100 hours on my cub. He gave me better bearings that lasted over 500 hours.

You cam also get a seal for the top and bottom that helps keep dust out
Click to expand...

My jd number is GY21098.


#26

Carscw

Carscw

tbird said:
My jd number is GY21098.
Click to expand...

This is the same bearing used in almost every riding mower made.
This I bet is cheaper then jd gets for their bearings. I use this bearing but with the metal seal because it lets grease in.

If your spindles do not have grease fitting you can drill and tap holes and install fittings.

Biggest thing is not to use cheap grade
Use high temp bearing grease. Same as used in a car bearing.
Oregon 45-256 Heavy Duty / Magnum Ball Bearing


image-1926045377.jpg


#27

T

tbird

Carscw said:
This is the same bearing used in almost every riding mower made.
This I bet is cheaper then jd gets for their bearings. I use this bearing but with the metal seal because it lets grease in.

If your spindles do not have grease fitting you can drill and tap holes and install fittings.

Biggest thing is not to use cheap grade
Use high temp bearing grease. Same as used in a car bearing.
Oregon 45-256 Heavy Duty / Magnum Ball Bearing


View attachment 20648
Click to expand...

I have never taken a spindle apart, don't know if I could. Was hoping I could get a good replacement spindle. Yes I do have grease fittings on all of the spindles. I would appreciate any help on this matter.


#28

Carscw

Carscw

This is what I would go with.
They make the best replacement parts.


Replacement Spindle for John Deere GY21098 GY20962 Oregon 82-359


#29

T

tbird

Carscw said:
This is what I would go with.
They make the best replacement parts.


Replacement Spindle for John Deere GY21098 GY20962 Oregon 82-359
Click to expand...

That's what I will do. I appreciate your help on this matter. Have a great day.


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