Most of these bearings purchased on Amazon are Chinese bearings that have a smidge of grease in them, then are sealed inside and out. I recently rebuilt my spindles using sealed bearings, and removed the inner seals, flushed the bearings, and filled the bearings with my grease. I’m old school and know how to do this. My spindles have a grease fitting as well as a vent hole that lets me know when the cavity is filled. Like you, I grew up always greasing our machinery, so I’m disciplined at this, knowing I’m extending the life of my equipment. I’ve never had enough money to throw it away because I’m lazy, so I will always fix something if I can, before replacing it. My mower is a 2001, and runs quieter than the new ones in the neighborhood.

I used to work at a John Deere dealer in the parts department, and your assessment of suburbanites greasing their machines is accurate. They either don't do it all, or way to much.

thanks for the video. most of us suburbanites have a lawn service but for there is a subset of us who have tools and a DIY mindset (which is why we tune in to channel like yours). I appreciate the help I got from this video, thanks again!

I just changed the bearings on my JD 125 series and both bearings was sealed bearings. There's others who say to remove the inside cover so the bearings are constantly being greased. Thanks for sharing ✌️

The bottom bearing takes most of the wear due to the impact of cutting , imbalance and centrifugal forces it is subjected to . It makes sense the top bearing was sealed because grease would drop down due to gravity . It also proves a point , the bottom bearing takes most of the load . Good video I might ad .

I always replace the whole thing. I don’t try to get the bolts out. I use a 1/2” impact and snap them off and get on with it. On the new spindles, if the customer want to grease them, I remove the bearings, take off the inner bearing seals, install a grease zerk if the new spindle doesn’t have one, drill a weep hole for the grease to come out of when the spindle gets full, then put it all back together and install it.

If the shafts are not bent & housing is ok,then spindles are fine to recondition:)

I’m now in the camp that says enough grease in is when the new clean grease starts coming out.

Deck blades need balancing also. You may not notice out of balance blades on a riding mower as much as on a walk behind but the bearings do.

Sealed bearing in deck spindles are designed to fail every year or two. Greaseable bearings will last a lot longer.

The evidence is right there. The sealed bearing is still sercvicable and the partially sealed one is shot. The bottom one is exposed to dirt and grit, the sealed one is "sealed"!

thanks for video, at end yu did not torque the pulley bolt on video. Please stress that so the neighbor won't loose the bolt when the pulley jumps off. Thanks for yur video and time.

just did a 54 inch deck 6 bearings 20$ 3 spindles . nothing was wrong with the Housings or shafts . unless a spindle is damaged no need to replace them and a old spindle with self tapping screws can be fixed by drilling out the screws . to service a spindle do not remove it from the deck . looking for disaster

My 2004 Dixon ZTR has sealed spindle bearings, both top and bottom. Also has a grease zirc. As you mentioned, it's a waste of time to pump grease in the spindle cavity between the sealed bearings. Might make you 'feel good' but a waste of time.....

No anti-seize on bolts for next time??

Great informative video. But why did you not just change the bearings with the old spindle still mounted on the deck? Since the bolts were seized they still would have kept the spindle in place. Yes, the new one is nicer, but the bearing were the only thing that were bad in the old spindle. Barry

Certainly not over greased because the axle was bone dry. Clean the spindle housing up, remove the broken studs, install new bearings, it is good as new.

Thanks! I think my spindle shaft is bent. I also have the 38" Edge mower deck. What's the part number to search for? I inherited the deck and X300 mower - so no instruction/owner's manuals.

Hey Foggy, What was the JD Part number for the New updated Spindle assembly you put on??

The bolts AllWAYS break so I replace brging with out removing it Easy and simple to install new brging and cheap

We have an old STX38 black deck and was wondering if it is possible to change to the new Spindle? The Old one keeps stripping. Frustrating.

Just bought an x590. How many hours were on your spindles before they started showing wear? Thanks...

What brand and type of "good moly grease" do you recommend? You have my respect for using a torque wrench. You pulled beyond the let-off click, though.

Sorry, I just saw where you listed it....D-OOH....

Where can I purchase after market spindles. Thanks

Personally prefer sealed bearings , no grinding past can enter them

Those sealed bearings are made to fail. The industry should be sued for making substandard parts

There is a difference between a seal and a shield

Gd grease dont grease, im gettin fckin tired of this shit,