How to Rebuild the Spindle on a Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet manufactures a number of mowers for both residential and commercial use. The majority of these tools use a belt and pulley system to rotate the blades the Cub Cadet uses to cut through brush. These pulleys are supported by spindles that allow them to turn freely. Over time, these spindles can become damaged. When that happens, you can rebuild the spindles on your Cub Cadet yourself, saving money on repair bills.
Park the Cub Cadet on a flat surface that gives you room to work. Turn off the ignition and remove the key.
- Cub Cadet manufactures a number of mowers for both residential and commercial use.
- The majority of these tools use a belt and pulley system to rotate the blades the Cub Cadet uses to cut through brush.
Open up the engine compartment (on enclosed models) and locate the spark plug boot, which is the plastic covering over the spark plug on the side of the engine. Grasp the thick part of the boot and pull straight back.
Release the mowing deck from the mower by disengaging the deck clutch and removing the safety pins. On smaller mowers, gently turn the mower on its side so you can access the spindle below.
Look for the torsion pulley holding the mower belt in place. This is the pulley that swings on a spring arm to keep the belt at the right tension. Press on the pulley to release tension on the belt. Remove the belt from the pulley assembly.
- Open up the engine compartment (on enclosed models) and locate the spark plug boot, which is the plastic covering over the spark plug on the side of the engine.
- Release the mowing deck from the mower by disengaging the deck clutch and removing the safety pins.
Remove any dirt or grass on the underside of the mower deck around the spindle using a brush or towel soaked in soapy water.
Hold the spindle pulley still with one hand. Use the other hand to loosen the spindle bolt with a wrench or socket wrench. Pull the pulley off the spindle.
Remove the bolts holding the spindle in place on the underside of the deck. Gently push on the spindle to remove it from the deck.
Clean any dirt or debris off the spindle using a brush and soapy water. Look for cracks or other worn places on the spindle body and, if found, replace with a new spindle.
- Remove any dirt or grass on the underside of the mower deck around the spindle using a brush or towel soaked in soapy water.
- Use the other hand to loosen the spindle bolt with a wrench or socket wrench.
Insert the spindle through the top of the mower deck. Hold in place with one hand -- or have an assistant hold it if you're working on a larger Cub Cadet model -- while you tighten the bolts securing it to the deck.
Replace the pulley and secure with the pulley bolt.
Slip the belt around the mower deck pulleys. Press the torsion pulley back while you are looping the belt. When finished, gently release the pulley to lock the belt into position.
Replace the spark plug boot.
- Insert the spindle through the top of the mower deck.
- Slip the belt around the mower deck pulleys.
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References
- Cub Cadet: Official Site
- The Mower Medic1: Riding Mower Spindle Repair
- Small Engine Repair Up to 20 HP; Richard J. Rivele
Resources
Writer Bio
Nathan McGinty started writing in 1995. He has a Bachelor of Science in communications from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in international journalism from City University, London. He has worked in the technology industry for more than 20 years, in positions ranging from tech support to marketing.
