Scag spindle replacemnt help..

[Shasta Lake Landscaping]

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/sativahybrid024/scagg.jpg
Hello all,
I bought this scag a few weeks ago for $500
I knew it would need spindles when I bought it, they have about 1/8" play.
So no problem, I figure $650 I'll have a perfect machine.
Now a few questions, how do I get the pulley off the spindle without harming it, the pulleys are good and I would like not having to replace those too, besides they need to be removed for the spindle to drop down.
And, should I replace the blade bolts?
Any insight is appreciated...
(Do you think I overpaid?)

[PTP]

There is a split collar that connects the pulley to the spindle. It has a square key in it as well. That is what you have to loosen in order to get the pulley off.

First you take those two small bolts out of the collar. The collar is tapered and those bolts hold constant tension on it so that everything remains tight. Then, you take those same bolts and put them in the other holes. Now, the bolts will be forcing the collar and the pulley apart instead of holding them together. You want to slightly tighten one and then the other. Keep alternating and increase the pressure until the pulley pops off. Be careful not to place too much torque on the small bolts as it is possible to twist them off.

If the pulley does not pop off, the judicious use of a hammer and/or a torch along with some penetrating fluid is recommended.

[DiyDave]

Them little bolts like to snap off, kinda quick, here's what I do: Put the bolts in the threaded holes, just like the above poster said, torque them down with the shortest wrench you have. Then take a scrap piece of 3 or 4 inch diameter steel pipe, and put it over the pulley, so it clears the tapered center. Then put a small piece of scrap 1X4 or 1X6 over the top, and give it one tap with a BFH. Remove pipe, wood, tighten the bolts again, repeat as necessary.

[Shasta Lake Landscaping]

Thanks guys, I thought that collar had to do with it, and not just some pulley design.
I picked up a pulley/gear puller from tractor supply, also, just in case.

[PTP]

Unless I am missing something, that gear puller will be useless. If you put it on the pulley, you will actually be tightening it on to the shaft and onto the collar and will get nowhere fast. Do it as suggested above and you should be just fine.

[Shasta Lake Landscaping]

Awesome,
Thank-you

[snow4me]

Thanks guys good thread!

Using techniques described previously on my 2005 STT 61" w/ advantage deck:

Just got finished removing one spindle using the bolts through the threaded holes with chunks of varying thickness aluminum blocks I had laying around the shop. Just start with bolts tightening a few turns on the one side then switch to the other. When they bottom out just back out add spacer and repeat increasing the thickness of spacer until the split collar slides completely off the spindle. Or you could go to the hardware store and buy two of the longest same thread fully threaded bolts to save yourself time and using as many spacers.

Then remove the pulley and remove the four bolts holding the spindle housing and it may take a quick tap with a mallet to break it free if there's a lot of rust and grass crud making it stick to the deck.

[djagusch]

Old thread but good info. I would add to buy new grade 8 bolts and use them to seperate the pulley half. Saves the chance of them snapping.

[Patriot Services]

Old thread but good info. I would add to buy new grade 8 bolts and use them to seperate the pulley half. Saves the chance of them snapping.

Good advice. Also a little anti seize on the threads. I've had to use a chisel in the slot of the sheave to loosen them before.
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[T-Trim]

You know you can rebuild these spindles on the mower and cheaper then buying new ones. They sell a whole kit for rebuilding scag spindles. Go get yourself the same size bolts that hold the collar on but longer to help pull the collar off instead of using the bolts that hold the collar on. One last thing make sure you line up the pulleys to the clutch on the engine. If you just measure the pulleys before you remove them. That would be the easiest way.