Rebuilding Deck Gearbox RCK54-23ZG

[MartyJones]

I am rebuilding the mower gear box and was wondering if I need to pack grease in the bearings as part of the rebuild or does the bearings just get their lubrication from the super udt fluid?

Also should I use permatex gasket maker to seal the gearbox half’s when input them back together?

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

 

[N3BP]

No need to grease the bearings, just fill the box with 80W-90 to the specified level. If you're rebuilding spindle bearings, then you want to grease those well.

Not familiar with two-piece gearboxes (they are typically one piece castings), but I assume a thin layer of Permatex Grey or Black when reassembling would be wise.....

 

[MartyJones]

No need to grease the bearings, just fill the box with 80W-90 to the specified level. If you're rebuilding spindle bearings, then you want to grease those well.

Not families with two-piece gearboxes (they are typically one piece castings), but I assume a thin layer of Permatex Grey or Black when reassembling would be wise.....

Thanks for the input. There are two different types of bearings in the case. Not sure if they are considered spindle bearings.

Here are links to them

Kubota #08101-06206 BRG BALL

BRG BALL

www.messicks.com

Kubota #08101-06204 BRG BALL RADIAL2

BRG BALL RADIAL2

www.messicks.com

 

[JimDeL]

The manual calls for 80W-90 gear lube, NOT UDT in the gearbox.

 

[MartyJones]

The manual calls for 80W-90 gear lube, NOT UDT in the gearbox.

Interesting. My manual states to use super udt. I will send a pic when I get back home.

 

[MartyJones]

Interesting. My manual states to use super udt. I will send a pic when I get back home.

 

[Yooper]

If there was a gasket originally I would reassemble back with one. It would be critical for shaft end play.

 

[MartyJones]

If there was a gasket originally I would reassemble back with one. It would be critical for shaft end play.

there was no gasket originally so that is why I think I need something to make a gasket

 

[JimDeL]

Mine's a RCK54-23BX. Maybe there's a difference in gearboxes.

 

[MartyJones]

Mine's a RCK54-23BX. Maybe there's a difference in gearboxes.

so I called my local Kubota shop and they told me the gearboxes come from the factory with super udt oil but they use 80-90w when they service them so that makes more sense. I will use 80-90w oil.

I am still not sure if I need to put any grease on the replacement bearings or not.

Any suggestions?

 

[JimDeL]

so I called my local Kubota shop and they told me the gearboxes come from the factory with super udt oil but they use 80-90w when they service them so that makes more sense. I will use 80-90w oil.

I am still not sure if I need to put any grease on the replacement bearings or not.

Any suggestions?

The 80W-90 should be all the lube the gearbox bearings need. Fill and forget - until the next maintenance cycle.

 

[MartyJones]

The 80W-90 should be all the lube the gearbox bearings need. Fill and forget - until the next maintenance cycle.

Thank you for all the great info!

 

[PaulL]

The 80W-90 should be all the lube the gearbox bearings need. Fill and forget - until the next maintenance cycle.

When @N3BP said "only on the spindle bearings" he mean on the spindles that drive the blades. They're not part of the gearbox, they're the ones driven by the belts. They have grease zerks on them. The bearings inside the gearbox are lubricated by the gearbox oil.

 

[MartyJones]

When @N3BP said "only on the spindle bearings" he mean on the spindles that drive the blades. They're not part of the gearbox, they're the ones driven by the belts. They have grease zerks on them. The bearings inside the gearbox are lubricated by the gearbox oil.

That makes sense.
One last question, what is the best thing to clean the inside of the gearbox? I would like to get all the old gunk in there out. I plan on wiping it out as best as I can with rags. Is there a cleaner/degreaser that you guys would recommend ?

 

[PaulL]

Brake cleaner is commonly used for things like this. Not sure why, other than perhaps lots of people have it lying around.

 

[whitetiger]

Do not put any grease in the bearings.
Use a good RTV sealer in the case seam.
Use 80/90 in the gearbox.

 

[MartyJones]

Do not put any grease in the bearings.
Use a good RTV sealer in the case seam.
Use 80/90 in the gearbox.

sounds like a plan. Thank you.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

brake cleaner is cheap and works real good. Also real handy to kill boring bees, wasps and other flying ,stinging things !

 

[MartyJones]

brake cleaner is cheap and works real good. Also real handy to kill boring bees, wasps and other flying ,stinging things !

Is brake cleaner the best thing to use to get all the oil residue out of the gearbox?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

It's what I use, as it'll 'flush out' the residue.
I used to use trichloroethelyene ??? Some big,long mouthful of letters. would get 45g drums of it for free (used coolant for SCR motor drives ). It worked GREAT at cleaning carbs and trannies and such.....
probably banned now of course.....