OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Greenfield Ride On Mower Frames Greenfield - Help to replace rear axle bearings

Hi Everybody
Long time reader first time poster...
I have an old Greenfield Anniversary 12/32, which my father in-law and I tinker with to keep it going. The latest major fix was an engine replacement after catastrophic failure, after which forward drive was terrible so I decided to replace the cork clutches, they came out and was obvious that the corks needed replacing. Then on closer inspection of the rear axle, the right side bearing was completely shot, it has been riding on the handbrake shoe on that side for some time. We have so far been unable to remove that brake drum from the axle and I don't see how the axle can come off without that coming off first, no amount of swearing will get the brake drum to budge.





Any suggestions? or tricks to help?
Thanks
Steve

Hi Steve, an absolute bustard to get off and can end up that way. What I remember doing this was to drill through the boss about the middle/outer edge in 3 places. Tap it to 10mm and with 3 long set screws use them as a puller/pusher. I probably had a piece of at least 5mm flat bar or plate for the set screws to push on so it doesn't damage the bearing carrier or push the side in. Expect to spend plenty of time getting it off

Hey Norm, thanks for the advice, not a great prospect though as I don't have the gear or know how to tap a thread (but I concede it is a good opportunity to try).

However, apart from the obvious is there a downside to grinding the brake drum off completely? The time savings may just be worth it, as the brake has been for show anyway...
Cheers, Steve

Hi Steve, certainly a lot easier to cut it off then, they are a pretty useless brake any way.

.
I got that alloy wheel off mine with a three pronged puller and a bit of carefully placed heat with my oxy torch.
It distorted a little (bugger all really, but I'm fussy!) so I turned it true on the lathe before re-installing with some Never Seize in the joint between it and the axle.