Mower deck Spindle assembly failure

[tomswoodwork1]

I have a 2004 Lazer Z with 52" deck. I replaced the spindle housings 2 years ago with exmark 103-2533 spindles. The jack shaft assembly was also replaced. I thought that I set to go.
Today I heard some noise around the outer spindle below my left foot. After removing the deck and belts, I saw that all of the pulleys were tight when I rocked them and spun them. But I then noticed that they were easy to pull up and down. Approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch.
That wasn't just one spindle assembly, but all three blade spindles and the one on the jackshaft.
What in the heck happened? It has me lost.

 

[mechanic mark]

Do you wash your mower with water?

 

[bertsmobile1]

the bearings have collapsed.
Deep groove ball bearings are not the best for blade spindles but they are the cheapest.
The right ones usually go first because the discharge side does more work than the other side.
On 3 blade decks the front usually goes next.

As Mark has mentioned, water is generally the cause of premature failure , particularly when owners wash a hot mower.

 

[Rivets]

When you replaced the spindles housing did they have spacers inside the housing, between the two bearings to keep them from collapsing.