How to Change the Bearings in the Shaft That the Blades Bolt to on a Toro

Remove the blade and drive belt from the spindle. Remove the upper pulley bolt and lift the pulley off of the spindle, using a socket and the ratchet. Locate the five or six bolts securing the spindle to the mower deck and remove those bolts, using a socket and the ratchet. Maneuver the spindle out from under the mower deck. Clean the spindle before proceeding by spraying it with water.

Secure the spindle in the bench vise, pulley side up. Remove the upper seal by tapping it with the hammer and punch. Carefully slide out the spindle shaft. Working through the opening inside the spindle, insert the punch and use the hammer to tap out the lower seal. Tap the lower bearing until it slides out. Remove the spacer and tap the upper bearing until it slides out.

Insert the new upper bearing, spacer, lower bearing and seal into the spindle, carefully tapping them into place one at a time. Smear axle grease into the spindle. Slide the spindle shaft in, tapping it into place but keeping as much grease as possible inside with the bearings. Replace the upper seal and gently tap it until it seats. Install the spindle into the mower deck and tighten the five or six bolts using the ratchet and a socket. Replace the pulley and the blade. Tighten both bolts, using the ratchet and a socket. Replace the drive belt.