Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

[Whoopbass]

I've got a 80's something Murray riding lawn mower.
The shaft bearing for the blade fell apart the other day and now the shaft slipped down and the pulley is resting on the mower deck.
I removed the blade and loosened up everything I could that holds the shaft in place but I can't get it to come out. Above the threads where the blade mounts to there is a large nut that is round but flat on both sides. I'm thinking that "nut" is screwed on the shaft but I can't tell for sure because I can't see any threads and its rusted pretty good. I put a strap around the belt pulley to keep the shaft from spinning and then hammered a socket over that "nut" and tried removing the nut with an air impact gun and it finally ended up stripping the nut.

Besides removing that nut I don't see any other way of removing the shaft to replace the bearing.
Am I way off base with what i've done?
Is this job possible with common tools?
Thanks

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

I've got a 80's something Murray riding lawn mower.
The shaft bearing for the blade fell apart the other day and now the shaft slipped down and the pulley is resting on the mower deck.
I removed the blade and loosened up everything I could that holds the shaft in place but I can't get it to come out. Above the threads where the blade mounts to there is a large nut that is round but flat on both sides. I'm thinking that "nut" is screwed on the shaft but I can't tell for sure because I can't see any threads and its rusted pretty good. I put a strap around the belt pulley to keep the shaft from spinning and then hammered a socket over that "nut" and tried removing the nut with an air impact gun and it finally ended up stripping the nut.

Besides removing that nut I don't see any other way of removing the shaft to replace the bearing.
Am I way off base with what i've done?
Is this job possible with common tools?
Thanks

Sounds like you'r up against it. I don't have my books anymore but with all the rust fighting you, you should forget about replacing the bearing. I would suggest that you replace the whole spindle unit which is bolted to the deck. So the first thing to do is remove spindle. take off pulley and the shaft should come off out the blade side. Should be 3 self tapping bolts holding spindle to deck. That is all I can remember about it. You can goggle Murray lawn mowers . In 1 of the Headings are pics. of the spindles and shafts with part # maybe you can figure it from there. Sorry I'm not much help, been a l-o-n-g time since I repaired one.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

I checked out some of the parts online and I saw a splined jackshaft that might be like the one I have. If it is it looks like the nut is pressed on so i'm going to give it a whack with a hammer and see if it comes off.
If not then I guess i'll have to see if they still make parts for this old beast. Every part I saw online was for newer Murray mowers.
Thanks for the tips...

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

I ended up cutting that nut off and it ended up being pressed on the shaft (no splines).
Now I need to see if they still make parts for a 20-25 year old lawn mower.
Thanks

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

Check out www.mytractorforum.com. They will have the answer. They always have the answer lol

 

[wncrjb]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

If it's the mandrel you're talking about, I happen to have at least one new one here...... I used to have a 11HP 36" murray... it got trashed but I still have some parts for it ( I'm a pack rat) LOL.....
If it's what you need, let me know and I will go dig it out of my shed.

wncrjb

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

About all of those old mowers were made by MTD...Look online for parts.
I did the same job on an old mower a few years ago.Removing the whole shaft housing from the deck was the way to go.Bolt the new part on and put the pulley back on the shaft.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

..I'm not too up on Murray lawnmowers however one option is to take the shaft and whatever is left of the bearing (arrangement) to a local machine shop. If the shaft is hooped the machinist should be able to duplicate it out of premium steel (4140 or equivalent) and may have a bearing to suit it. If not log on to McMaster Carr and order one out of there....for very little dough$$.
These drive items are rarely that special.....most were built/designed to be relatively low cost consumer goods. You may end up with a better item than you started with.
Good Luck & Keep us Posted
BP

 

[Laddies]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

NAPA has many spindles available in thier small engine book, listed by mower, sizes and picture

 

[dolluper]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

If you can find your model number on that machine you can get the mandrel assembly fairly cheap {25 bones} most attach the same way, size is the important part

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

If it's the mandrel you're talking about, I happen to have at least one new one here...... I used to have a 11HP 36" murray... it got trashed but I still have some parts for it ( I'm a pack rat) LOL.....
If it's what you need, let me know and I will go dig it out of my shed.

wncrjb

Thanks for the offer but I already ordered parts from a seller off ebay. I guess I should have kept an eye on this thread.

I'm not sure what a "mandrel" assemmbly is. The part I ordered is called a deck spindle or a quill assembly (I think). Probably the same part as the mandrel. I ordered two and with shipping the parts came out to $40. Cheaper then I thought it would be. I really didn't think I would be able to get parts for it considering the age of the mower.
The nut I couldn't get off is called a blade adapter. I couldn't get it off because it was rusted on.
Should be an easy repair. Still waiting on the parts.
Thanks for the help.

 

[iredelldragons]

Re: Old Murray riding mower bearing replacement

Hi my name is Tana and I have a murray 11 hp 36" I'm trying to find the 2 belts one is the drivebelt and the other is the deck belt I believe. I have looked everywhere and the model 38-36508x92 and manufactured date 0568 does not exist. If any one knows the belt number or size please help!!!