I noticed that my Metro 32" is making a grinding type noise when running. This noise is coming off of 1 of the 2 pulleys that are on the underside of the motor, but spin when the motor is on. I dont notice any difference in noise if the blades are engaged or not nor do I notice a difference in noise if the mower is engaged in gear moving forward, being held in neutral or "stop" or the transmission disengaged in park. Looking underneath the mower, I see there is one large pulley that spins when the mower is running and I suppose does almost all of the work.. This grinding noise sounds like it is coming from the pulley or the hub assembly of the pulley, not inside the engine. Any idea at first read if there are bearing inside that pulley that might be frying that will need replaced, or would it be something (I hope not) more serious? The mower will have it's second birthday in April. Thanks
Its the transmission idler pulley. Under the mower look for a small pulley that puts tension on the trans belt, take a 9/16 wrench and loosen the nut and slide the pulley away from the belt. Then start the engine, if the noise is gone remove the nut and replace the pulley.
Ok, so I loosened up the pulley out of the way, ran the machine and no weird noise. So It's definatly the pulley. Can idler pulleys be Lubricated with like WD40 or is it time for a whole new one? If a new one, anyone know of a website that has one? Thanks.
Look in the parts book that came with the mower. If the part number is 323285 then you can get it at www.j-thomas.com Just type JT-250 in the search box.
You can take a small screwdriver and lift the seal, and shoot some grease into as a band aid until your new one arrives. They are not that exspensive at the dealer to justify shipping costs IMO.
Any shop with commercial mowers will carry that pulley. Just bring in the old and they'll match it up for you. I went though 3 on assorted machines until the dealer told me to stop "washing" the machine so much. The water just sits in there like a "cup" and destroys the bearings.
Those pulley's have sealed bearing and when they go they are toast. I just replaced an idler pulley, was going to be 2-3 days for the original one but found one that would match up so it would keep me mowing. A smaller or larger belt can be used if the pulley differs in size. A syringe can be used to squirt some grease in them if needed, but they will not last forever and have to be replaced after a few years (depending on conditions).
