Backside Idler Pulley

Raise front of Murray tractor by using ramps or a jack and jack stands. Put wheel chocks on both sides of the tires to prevent any movement. Push brake/clutch pedal all the way down and engage parking brake. This will take belt tension off of the idler pulley so it can be easily removed and a new one installed. Lower the mower deck as far down as it will go to give more space for working on the pulley. Remove the nut holding on the old pulley with a 9/16" socket wrench and remove the pulley. Install new pulley and reinstall the nut. I did not have information on how much torque to apply to the nut so I tightened it to a point where I felt it was not over tightened. .Undo the parking brake and carefully bring the tractor back down to the ground and you're good to go.

Note: You should examine the drive belt for any damage the frozen idler pulley bearing may have caused to the belt and replace it if necessary. Replacing the drive belt is a major task and I was lucky my drive belt was o.k. for a few more years.

I really appreciated that eReplacement Parts had an OEM part for my 20 year old Murray tractor.

Pulled the spring tensioned arm back and held it with a screw driver (long one).

Took the lock nut off.

Found spacers at local hardware store and had to put 5 or so washers below the pulley. This was necessary to make the pulley high enough to not pull the belt off.

Took several tries to get the pulley height correct. Once on high enough it was fine. Rather hard to press the belt under the guard that keeps it in place. I probably should have put that on before I screwed it in place but it was not clear initially so I forced it.

It was hard to work in the confined space - my arms barely fit in there. Had one wheel off in the rear and had it up on jack stands.

Used a wrench to remove nut holding pulley on shaft and then installed the new pulley

Raised the front end off the mower and put blocks below it, ad blocked the rear wheels
Remove the nut holding the pulley on, and remove the pulley
Installed the pulley on the shaft and tightened the nut
Remove both nuts from the blade axles and the washers
Install two new blades
Placed the washers on and tightened the blade nut

I installed the one you listed I needed on the parts diagram and it worked perfect.
I removed the nut holding the pulley on, the installed the new pulley with the nut.

1. Dropped the mower deck.
2. Replaced the drive belt and the pulley.

Replaced pulley after loosening nut. Relaxed with new pulley. Easy peasey.

Simply removed the retaining nut, replaced pulley, torqued nut

Removed the old damaged part and replaced it with the new idler pulley.

Removed the old components. Replaced the belt and the pulley.