ZTX4 spindle disassembly

[Porthos]

Looking for some guidance on how to disassemble this MTD spindle from a Dewalt Z254 (similar to CubCadet ZTX4 54).

Part number in the spindle housing reads "714-054", but I didn't find any reasonable hits for a search of the pn.
Parts diagram shows that this spindle has part numbers 490-130-C022 | 918-07416 | 618-07416 , latest revision to earliest.
This is the same spindle used in CubCadet ZTX4 and some other MTD mowers - pulley size varies for blade length :

Spindle Assembly- 5.76" Dia. Pulley - 918-07416 | Cub Cadet US

Read reviews and buy Spindle Assembly- 5.76" Dia. Pulley918-07416. Free shipping on parts orders over $45.

cubcadet.com

918-07417A - 918-07417 | MTD Parts

Buy the 918-07417A online and get your OEM parts quick! Orders over $45 qualify for Free Shipping.

mtdparts.com

Spindle Assembly- 5.76" Dia. Pulley - 918-07416 | MTD Parts

Buy the Spindle Assembly- 5.76" Dia. Pulley online and get your OEM parts quick! Orders over $45 qualify for Free Shipping.

mtdparts.com

I saw one of the advertised features was "Triple sealed bearings ensure maximum life". So, maybe they designed it to be difficult to disassemble ?
After looking at the spindle with nut, washer, and shaft removed , it's non-intuitive (to me) how to take it apart to get to the bearings so as to grease them up. I can't imagine that the top seal would be the only thing holding the axel tube and bearings in place.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone having dissected one of these and can give a few pointers on how to do it ?

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[evh]

I don't know the specifics on yours, but can't you take a long socket extension (for example) and put it through the hole on one bearing and pound out the other (angling the extension after it goes thru the first bearing). With one bearing removed then take a socket that is slightly smaller in diameter, place in the spindle cavity and use something to pound out the other?

 

[Porthos]

I don't know the specifics on yours, but can't you take a long socket extension (for example) and put it through the hole on one bearing and pound out the other (angling the extension after it goes thru the first bearing). With one bearing removed then take a socket that is slightly smaller in diameter, place in the spindle cavity and use something to pound out the other?

That doesn't work on this type of spindle assembly. The bearings are not exposed inside the center channel / hollow of the spindle. See attached picture ; the dark steel axel tube extends from top to bottom and the bearings are completely covered by the axel tube. If we had a cut-away diagram of this thing I believe we would see that the axel tube has a surface that rides on the bearings or maybe the bearings are press fitted onto the axel tube. In any case I don't want to go beating on the axel tube hoping that will somehow make the assembly disassemble ; it would probably damage the bearings doing so.

 

[evh]

That doesn't work on this type of spindle assembly. The bearings are not exposed inside the center channel / hollow of the spindle. See attached picture ; the dark steel axel tube extends from top to bottom and the bearings are completely covered by the axel tube. If we had a cut-away diagram of this thing I believe we would see that the axel tube has a surface that rides on the bearings or maybe the bearings are press fitted onto the axel tube. In any case I don't want to go beating on the axel tube hoping that will somehow make the assembly disassemble ; it would probably damage the bearings doing so.

Gotcha.

I think I had one like that on a LT1045??? I never did figure out how to remove the bearings. Good luck!

 

[ILENGINE]

You cannot remove the bearings without damaging them. Only possible way would be to put the spindle in a press and then may sideload damage the bearings, or crack the spindle housing. Either way you will need to replace the bearings if you remove them from the spindle.

 

[StarTech]

It appears that you need remove the spacers on each end. Then press out #10 spacer using a driver that slightly under under 30mm OD in diameter. First drive out the lower bearing as it is a slip fit. Then remove the oil seal on the upper side and drive out the top bearing. Note this damages the bearings and oil seal.

 

[Porthos]

It appears that you need remove the spacers on each end. Then press out #10 spacer using a driver that slightly under under 30mm OD in diameter. First drive out the lower bearing as it is a slip fit. Then remove the oil seal on the upper side and drive out the top bearing. Note this damages the bearings and oil seal.
View attachment 71197

Thanks for that good info ! Where does that diagram come from ?

"... the spacers on each end" ; would that be #8 on top and #11 on bottom ? If so, that's no problem - those are lift off parts, already shown removed in my previous photos ... although #11 doesn't look like what I have in the photo of the blade and lower washers / spacers. Maybe it's a generic diagram and some applications have different end items (spacers, washers, etc).

So, removing #10 could be done on a hydraulic shop press or maybe with my farm jack. Maybe only the top bearing (#7) will be damaged getting this apart.

The "SLIP FIT" notation for the #7 bottom bearing with #2 (Al housing) combined with friction / interference fit between #10, #7, #2 at the top means that it should only require about 25mm of press movement to get #10 with lower #7 to fall out the bottom.

Any suggestions about a rebuild kit with bearings (#2) and seal (#5) ; is that available for order somewhere ?

 

[StarTech]

Cub Cadet Website using model ZTX4-60 KH FAB (47ASAAA8010) (2021) (ULTIMA ZTX4). Then look spindle assy diagram.

The bearings are 6206-2RS bearings but the seal has come from Cub Cadet or MTD. Otherwords you can get lower cost bearings then Cub Cadet ones.

I got to order the seal here so I can spec it and look for an after market one. Since my distributor don't stock them yet no telling when I might get one.

 

[Porthos]

Cub Cadet Website using model ZTX4-60 KH FAB (47ASAAA8010) (2021) (ULTIMA ZTX4). Then look spindle assy diagram.

Thanks. I'll get it disassembled then go from there.