Fl-Idler Pulley 2.​75

Actually the repair was quite an easy one, once I figured out how to get the nut off the pulley. The way MTD made the tractor was really dumb. They put a nut on the idler pulley where you can't get a wrench on. There's about maybe 1/4" gap between the plate the idler bolt goes through and the chassis plus the fact you need a long, and I mean long, open end 9/16 wrench to place on the nut.
I got the nut off and to save me the trouble the next time, I drilled a pilot hole from underneath where the bolt goes through then cut a 1" hole in the chassis on top to get to the nut. I replaced the pulley and put a hole plug in the 1" hole I drilled. After that, no problem and the pulley works like a charm.

I replaced the drive belt for the mower and found that the brakes were not functioning and the idler pulley for the drive belt had failed as well..The brake pads had to be replaced and once the idler pulley was replaced and adjusted for the new drive belt I was able to adjust the brakes. For easier access I had to remove the deck and jack up the mower and put it on jack stands. I could have leaned the mower on its side to do the job but decided to use the jacks instead. I did it this way so that I could engage the drive and make the wheels turn while the mower was on the jack stands in order to adjust the brakes. I also removed the right side tire in order to access the brake assembly. My mower is a Troy Bilt Bronco made at about 2005.

1. Cut hole in floorboard to get to nut. (some mowers have a panel to remove)
2. Raised back end of the mower on a lift.
3. Took off the pulley with 1/2 inch socket on nut and 1/2 inch wrench on bolt. Took off pulley, belt, and hardware,
4. Put on new pulley, shoulder spacer, flange nut and belt at same time.
5. Ground down hole in floorboard smooth. Covered with duct tape til figure out permanent cover.
6. Should have adjusted variable speed pedal while idler was apart, but didn't think of it at the time.
7. Later will adjust variable speed idler the long way per manual.

Replaced Bearing & Bushings in steering. Replaced Drive Belt & Variable Speed belts. Also replaced all (3) Idler in drive system.

1. I took off what was left of the old pulley (mostly plastic) and replaced it with the new all-metal pulley from e-Replacement Parts.
2. Then, I mounted the new upper drive belt.
3. From the time I placed my order on-line it only took two days for e-Replacement Parts to ship the new parts from Utah to me in Virginia and the next morning I quickly made the repair and had my lawn tractor running again.,

1. Removed mower deck
2. Replaced idler pulleys
3. Sharpened blades
4. Repacked bearings for blades
5. Reinstall mower deck