Removing a broken off bolt from a mower deck? Drilled it out!

[ANewSawyer]

 

[ANewSawyer]

 

[ANewSawyer]

Last of the photos. The photo of the worn out pad is upside down. Sorry, had a problem getting a shot without glare. I will fix!

And the new drilled hole is crooked. I am aware of that.

 

[Fish]

The bearings are out on the one housing?

 

[ANewSawyer]

Yes, the old blade adator was stuck to the shaft. Well, not stuck but I couldn't remove it. So a friend of mime drove the shaft out. If I can get everything working together I may replace the bearings. Both grease zerks are getting replaced.

 

[AVB]

Minor damage damage when compared to some that I have repaired where I had to completely rebuild the deck hangers from scratch like those non-replaceable MTD F deck hangers that are completely missing. All you need is good ACE/OX welder or Wire Welder and a good carbide rotary file to fix that crack area you have. The 40708x8B Murray that I got in got a lot more deck damage where the customer has been hitting stumps.

I don't know who the so-called tech that previously repaired the steering on the one I got in was but he sure made a mess where the steering bushing/bearing goes. Too embarrassing to post pictures of it here as it is such poor workmanship especially since the part originally needed is available. Now I got spend up to an hour reworking the bracket just to install the $12 bushing and installing a modified bushing where he enlarged to upper pinion mount..

 

[ANewSawyer]

I am not a welder and don't know. I have been told that these decks are hardened and welding causes them to lose their temper. That is what a local engine guys told me, and he knows what he is talking about.

 

[Fish]

I am not a welder and don't know. I have been told that these decks are hardened and welding causes them to lose their temper. That is what a local engine guys told me, and he knows what he is talking about.

Not a Murray deck.....

 

[AVB]

Plus if you take close look at any of the decks out there you will find that they all have been welded at the factory. So that local engine guy is going to be wrong as I don't think the manufactures are not going to intentionally weaken a deck knowing the abuse that the decks are put through.

The biggest problem stamp steel deck repair is the burn through caused by hidden rust damage or using a too higher amperage welding mode. Sheet metal take a delicate touch and not everybody can do it.

Those engine guys probably will also probably tell you that cast iron, aluminum, and plastics can't be welded too. I have done all three; although, I haven't mastered the aluminum welding yet.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Shrug, still can't weld it cause I don't know how. Well, he said that it cracks again after welding. I still trust him more than most dealer mechanics around here... Either way my plan is unchanged. Get some thicker steel and make plates to fit under the deck. Bolt through them to spread out the weight.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Forgot to mention the bearings. One side has funky looking seals. All bubbly and stuff. Common 6203 bearings. Cheaper to replace the bearings than the whole housing.

I can't thank you all enough for your help and for putting up with my inexperience. (Stupidity too!)

 

[AVB]

One word of caution here as these are Murray spindles that use one each 6203-RS5/8 and 99502H bearings. Many 6203 are .669 ID x 1.578 OD but 6203-RS5/8 are .635 x 1.575. The bearing 99502H is 0.6250" ID x 1.3749" OD. The reason is that Murray use 5/8" OD spindle shafts which is also why they are so prone being bent.

The bubbling is probably corrosion between the plastic and metal underneath it as those plastic looking seals are metal reinforced.

 

[ANewSawyer]

So something like this: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/radial-bearing-6203-2rs-5-8?cm_vc=-10005

I wondered if the bottom bearing was different. Now I know!

And this one too: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/radial-bearing-99502h-5-8-in

 

[AVB]

Yes those are the right ones. Not too over priced either considering what it cost to ship one from my vendor. Of course I buy them in lots of ten so my overall costs are less.

 

[ANewSawyer]

I don't understand why they put grease fittings then use double sealed bearings. I am planning to pop the inner seal out befor reinstalling. And I may not have to replace the bearings on one side, just remove, grease and reinstall.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Okay, the bearings on the side with the funky seals are both 6203-2DLRS.