Geez, you guys are so inspiring- so generous for info/tips/encouragement!
So, now, I removed the 4 rusty bolts from under the deck that hold the "BLADE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY COMP", AS THE PARTS MANUAL CALLS IT (not sure exactly if thats what you mean by the "mandrel", or is the mandrel just a PORTION of that assembly(?). Since member above recomended to change out bearing, that implies I take apart the assembly to get to that bearing, right? (link/photo here of a typical assembly......)
MTD Spindle 618 0138 918 0138 618 0142 618 0138A | eBay
other thing- man, got the assembly pictured in link on bench, and cant get that pulley nuut off for beans! Sooooo tight! What kind of torque did they put that on with? I even tried to hold down pulley with chain "grips", and propaned the nut. No luck.
Thanks, people.