How to Replace a Spindle

How to Replace a Spindle | Ferris Z3X |

Рет қаралды 19,399

3 жыл бұрын

On a scale of 1-10 on how difficult this job is or how much mechanical knowledge is needed... I would rate this job a 3 out of 10 (with 10 being the highest skill needed). In this video, I'll show you guys step by step how to replace the spindle on a Ferris Z3X. The unit I'm working on is a 72" cut but all of the ZX3's should be the same. Below is a list of tools you'll need, the spindle part number, AND the step by step instructions for something to reference after you've watched this video.
Also, included are some Amazon affiliate links for the Spindle & Jack that were seen in the video. You don't have to buy it from these links, but if you do it helps me directly and like most of you, I believe in getting the best deal possible and helping others along the way whenever feasible... This would do both and I would greatly appreciate it!
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Ferris Cast Iron Spindle Assembly (8.0-6 Bolt) for 61” & 72" Deck Mowers OEM Part# 5104744 - - amzn.to/360xeZA - -
Click Here to Buy the Jungle Jim Jack... - - amzn.to/2UhHrJK - -
My Video Review On the Jungle Jim Jack - - • What is the BEST jack ... - -
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~ Amazon Disclaimer ~
I am participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Products in the provided links are my recommendations based on honest use and experience with them.
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Tools Needed:
*Spindle Needed - OEM Part# 5104744 (61" & 72" Decks)* Ferris Cast Iron Spindle Assembly (8.0-6 Bolt)
1. A Jack or some other form to lift the mower up.
2. 15/16" Socket - To Remove the Mower Blade
3. 1/2 " Socket Wrench (the wrench itself) to ease the tension on the tensioner pulley and remove/install the deck belt
4. A Cheater bar (2-3' piece of pipe will work) to put on the end of your socket wrench to make it easier to manipulate the tensioner pulley.
5. 1/2" Socket to remove the mower deck spindle assembly cover
6. 9/16" Socket to remove the nuts holding the spindle in place
7. 9/16" Wrench to hold the bolt on the bottom side of the mower deck while using the 9/16" socket to remove the nuts holding the spindle in place.
8. 1-1/8" Socket, Wrench, or Adjustable Wrench to remove the nut on top of the spindle.
9. A grease gun to grease the new spindle after installation
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Step by Step Instruction:
1. Jack the Mower Up and Remove the blade for the spindle(s) that is being replaced.
2. Drop the mower back down and lower the deck as low as possible.
3. Remove the mower deck spindle assembly cover by loosening 3 bolts with the 1/2" socket and pulling the cover off.
4. Remove the mower deck belt by using the 1/2" socket wrench and cheater bar to loosen the tensioner pulley and dropping the belt down.
5. Remove the nut on the top of the spindle's spline with the 1-1/8" socket or adjustable wrench (impact wrench recommended)
6. Pull off the pulley and be sure not to lose the nut, washer, and key inside of the pulley...you'll need to reuse that later.
7. Using the 9/16" socket and corresponding wrench, remove the 6 nuts and bolts from the spindle assembly and remove the spindle.
8. Install the new spindle and add the bolts and nuts with the 9/16" socket and wrench.
9. Re-install the pulley, short side up, the key, the washer, and the nut and tighten with the 1 1/8" socket.
10. Re-install the belt.
11. Add the cover back and tighten w the 1/2 sockets
12. GREASE the new spindle!!!!
13. Install the blade(s) back on and you're good to go!
I hope this helps you guys out!

Пікірлер: 67

@danieldorchester5221 2 ай бұрын

Great job giving us step-by-step instructions. I have one spindle that I think is getting a bit loose. This video makes me completely comfortable changing it out.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 8 күн бұрын

Save your old one too! Especially if the shaft is still good. Sometimes, if you catch it early enough, you can just replace the inner bearings which is a whole lot cheaper than buying the spindle as a complete unit. I’ve been meaning to make a video that because of how easy it is to replace them.

@kevinsprinkle301 2 жыл бұрын

holy crap I changed a lot of spindles in my lifetime and have Never had a keyed pulley just come off with your hands. I'm currently using a puller and it's bending the pulley so your a lot luckier than I am

@khfoust1 3 күн бұрын

same here, except I haven't been able to "release the hostage" yet. - perhaps for the sake of the video it was recently reassembled. I do appreciate that the complete job was demonstrated and that I can see that there a LOT more of the pulley bore over the spindle shaft and there is no hidden allen screw or something I'm fighting. Looks like it safe to apply some heat under the pulley. Thank you!

@tonydize3944 3 жыл бұрын

What a great video perfect explanation thank you for taking the time making it easy for us man

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome Tony! I figure if the manufacturer can send videos out to the dealers/mechanics why can’t John Q. Public have something to use ourselves. Oh and by the way save your old spindle. If the cast iron shell and the spindle shaft are good you can take it apart and replace the bearings themselves and have a spare assembly just in case and it’ll cost about half (or less) than a new spindle will. Just food for thought.

@butchhorton520 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you it really helped me!! Gods bless brother

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

likewise my friend!! (Sorry for the delayed response)

@jayarmitage9609 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Great video!

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@jeromeeady9474 2 жыл бұрын

Again. Thanks for sharing your video

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Hope it helped.

@jeromeeady9474 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharin video on Ferris moreer

@EnderlePropertyService Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated! I just changed a bad spindle on my Z3X. Only quibble is that your video says use a 1/2” WRENCH on the tensioner…I was quite confused until I determined it meant A1 /2” RATCHET. Other than that, very helpful!

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

Lol I don’t know what else to call it. To me It is a 1/2” socket wrench as opposed To a 3/8” socket wrench. Glad it was helpful though!!

@jrlopezlopez7398 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video . . . I can do this

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

Save your old spindle and you can rebuild it for a back up or you ever need another one….it’s cheaper than buying a whole new one. Also I don’t think I mentioned it in the video, but there is a “ooze port” that opens up as your pumping grease into it that lets you know the spindle is full of grease. It’ll make your life easier if you have that facing to the front of the mower so you can easily see into the deck at that port when you’re pumping grease.

@shanepipkin4041 2 жыл бұрын

if you put the ferris 52 pulley on you will get more blade speed and mow faster. use redline grease bearing last longer and cooler

@kbmotorsportsonline Жыл бұрын

Wouldn't you need to change all 3 pullies for each blade?

@lancemorgan9903 10 ай бұрын

Well dang wish my pulley would come off like that none of them are just pulling up will I need a pulley puller or harmonic balancer puller you think?

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 9 ай бұрын

I’ve used pullers before but I just replaced one two weeks ago and had to make it Liquid Metal and drop the spindle down the bottom of the shaft. I was not a happy camper. I couldn’t risk damaging the pulley and it was seized up good.

@kkutube1972 3 ай бұрын

I have a SRS-Z2, the blade spindle on the right side need replacing. I had to cut it to remove. After removing and inspecting, looks like it welded together. I cut after puller not working.

@ramblin_man23 2 жыл бұрын

Hey man hope you reply to this. I hit a root with my Z3X and broke a blade. Now when the pro is engaged the whole deck shakes bad. At first I thought it was because of missing part of the blade is throwing it off balance but now I'm thinking I busted the spindle because I cannot get the blade bolt off. I used a 1,000 lb ft torque impact and a little heat but it won't loosen. I think I bent something inside so the bolt is stuck. Should I use more heat and a stronger 1,200-1,400 lb ft impact in hopes it's just really stuck or does it sound like a it's the spindle? Just bought it used, never removed the blades. Thanks

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry just now seeing this. If you’re blade broke there’s no doubt it tightened the bolt when you hit the tree root and most likely an impact wrench won’t get it off. First thing I’d try to do is use a cheater bar (maybe a 2-3’ pipe) on the end of the wrench and block the blades with a block of wood and try to break it loose. It’ll probably feel like you’re going to snap the bolt head off but keep prying. If it does break hex head off it will release the pressure and you should be able to back the bolt out (might have to use an easy out but not usually). If that doesn’t work then you’ll need to cut the head of the bolt of with a cutting wheel…again relieving pressure and then back the bolt out. I hear a lot of guys say they apply heat but I was always taught it’s not good to apply heat to the bearings (it transfers to the bearings). Hope this helps!!

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

It’s shaking because of the blade for sure…that’s not to say you didn’t damage the spindle but the vibration is because of the massive unbalance that’s taking place.

@ramblin_man23 2 жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping thanks for replying. The other day I placed a torch on it for 10 minutes straight and eventually loosened the bolt with a 1,400 lb ft cordless impact from Harbor Freight.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

Just keep an eye on that spindle because excessive heat for too long isn’t good. If for some reason it does go bad can you buy a new spindle keep your old one because a lot of times the parts are reusable like the housing or the spindle shaft. If you got the downtime in the off-season it’s cheaper to rebuild one then it is to buy it out right

@ramblin_man23 2 жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping thanks alot man 👍

@shanepipkin4041 3 жыл бұрын

I have the small aluminum spindles is there any way I can change them to the bigger iron spindles? redrill holes is it worth it?

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

What mower do you have? I’m sure you could probably “reconfigure” the spindles, but I don’t know that it’d be worth it to change the manufacturer’s specs.

@shanepipkin4041 2 жыл бұрын

ferris with small aluminum ones

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

That’s not my area of expertise, but I’d probably say go with what the manufacturer recommends…aka stock parts.

@HandyGuy2016 3 жыл бұрын

How many hours were on the machine when the spindle went bad?

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

Honestly I don’t remember now. I want to say around 500-600 hours. But if you catch them quick enough you might be able to buy a new bearing kit and take the spindle apart and replace just the bearings. But if you run it too long with the bearings bad you’ll end up having to replace the spindle spline also. Still cheaper than buying a new spindle, but it takes a little bit more time which sometimes costs in the long run. I keep all my used parts like that and come winter time when things slow down a bit I see which ones are good and if I can rob from Peter to pay Paul so to speak.

@HandyGuy2016 3 жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping Good information, thank you for the reply and the step by step video.

@johnnyrowell2068 Жыл бұрын

I have a 50inch zero turn toro and it will pull for about 20 min.then the right side will quit pulling if I let it sit for about 20 min it will pull for about 20min then quit. What is the fix.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

Not sure. Maybe the belt is slipping? I don’t know why time is a factor in it working or not working.

@bryanlovesjenn 3 жыл бұрын

What kind of grease and how often do you grease? I’m on my second spindle in 585 hrs. I’m frustrated. Lol

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

I’m at 900 ish hours and have now replaced all three!! I switched the end of last season to an extra heavy duty grease (amzn.to/3rwLwZQ ) I have found that these spindles seem to go through more grease than others. Usually 3-4 pumps each week at blade changes and I’m all set. Seems like I’m pumping 10-15 pumps (until it starts spitting out the pressure port). Save your spindle assembly and buy the bearings to go inside...it’s cheaper than buying a whole new assembly. But beware if your bearings have been bad for a while because it could have warped the spindle spline to where it can’t be used again.

@bryanlovesjenn 3 жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping thank you so much. Turns out my electric grease gun wasn’t putting out as much grease as thought. I was putting two pumps daily. But when I pulled the spindle and remove the bearings there wasn’t much grease. Learned my lesson. And yes I changed the bearings this time.

@shanepipkin4041 2 жыл бұрын

do you have to do the whole spindle or just bearing?

@shanepipkin4041 Жыл бұрын

is this the hurcules 1 or 2? what's difference

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry but I don’t know what you mean when you say Hercules 1 or 2?

@butchhorton520 3 жыл бұрын

Could you tell us where to get the parts

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

A lot of times you can just search some of the major online stores and price shop for the best deals. I can’t remember where I bought this one from to be honest. Maybe www.propartsdirect.com but I can’t say for sure. Just make sure the part numbers match up.

@prestoncraner4624 Жыл бұрын

Does anyone know the actual torque specs on the big nut ?

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

Do you mean the nut the holds the blades on?! If so, I don’t know if anyone who torques them To specs. With an air gun I usually tighten them to one “ugga-Dugga” with a 20v DeWalt impact drill I use the #2 setting and tighten it to the drills max.

@arthurrodesiler3109 2 жыл бұрын

Wish you would have taken the old one apart to see if they use double sealed bearing. Which means greasing them is worthless.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

I have taken them apart and rebuilt them before and grease is definitely a necessity! That’s part of the reason why I love my Wrights and their greaseless spindles.

@ramblin_man23 2 жыл бұрын

Quick eBay search of that part number, new OEM runs $145-175.

@jamikal5 Жыл бұрын

Sometimes you have to torch those things right off and buy a new pulley... Had to do it 2 times

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

I’ve been lucky not to have had to do it at all… I’ve replaced all 3 now. In fact, my experience had been the spindle shaft is what has worn down and the bearings and housing are still in good shape. I have two “spare” spindles with fresh bearings that only need the $75 shaft and they’ll be good as new (vs $175 complete assembly).

@Abc-kn5wj 3 жыл бұрын

Woodruff key

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

What’s that?

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 3 жыл бұрын

Oh you mean what I called the “little metal thingy” 😂😂 Yeah you’re 100% right

@sydpix Жыл бұрын

What really irritates me is when someone cranks down the nut on the pulley and it won’t come off. Anyone have any suggestions? I’m using a wheel puller and it’s literally bending the pulley. Still won’t come off

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

You might have to use the puller and apply heat to the shaft and then bump it with a hammer.

@sydpix Жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping did that and no luck. I may have to physically cut the shaft and replace the whole thing. I actually loosened the nuts hoping that spinning may jar them loose at some point. They’re on there THAT tight. I just don’t understand people.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping Жыл бұрын

I have a thought, but just to confirm you were able to get the nut off the top of the spindle shaft… you just can’t get the pulley off the spindle shade… correct?

@sydpix Жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping correct

@sydpix Жыл бұрын

@@DaisyDukesLandscaping correct

@bikes7777 2 жыл бұрын

I think that's the dirtiest mower I have ever seen.

@DaisyDukesLandscaping 2 жыл бұрын

Hahah yeahhhhh it was pretty dirty. Occasionally I’ll give them a bath but my mowers were all bought with with common goal in mind… to work! I typically blow them off after each property, but they don’t see water very often… 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️