Mower deck Craftsman LT2000 making clanging noise when blades engaged

[Black River]

Hello. I have a 2005 Craftsman LT2000. I let my son use it and the next time I mowed with it there was a clanging noise from the deck when the blades were engaged. Today I have the deck off inspecting it and one of the smaller pulleys was a little loose and I have tightened it, but I noticed the right sided blade/pulley has a some play in it. Is this bad bearings? I have not worked on the type like Craftsman with the mandrels, so does the entire mandrel have to be replaced or can you just replace bearings?

 

[ILENGINE]

You can just replace the bearings in the mandrels. I do several every year in the shop.

 

[Black River]

I thought so. So after removing the pulley, can I drive the spindle shaft out with a rubber mallet instead of removing the whole mandrel? I've heard the bolts securing the mandrel to the deck were prone to breaking off, and I want to avoid this!