Kelsey 91 #1 Posted November 28, 2020 Greetings everyone, I don't want to bore with the details of rebuilding a 42" SD mower deck ( welding, rebuilding spindles, priming, etcetera). The idler support bar has 2 hold down bolts with the plastic sliders. I used a pipe wrench and gently got this bar in position so that the deck belt had tension. Next, I tightened the two bolts and was done. I've rebuild this deck doing the same procedure at least 6 times in 29 years. Recently, I thought I read somewhere that the tension bar self adjusts itself. Am I missing something about this installation? Thanks. Kelsey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,069 #2 Posted November 28, 2020 The bar must slide freely so the spring can tension the belt as it wears. Garry 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelsey 91 #3 Posted November 28, 2020 That's the illustration that I don't understand. How do I place the bolts so that the bar can slide freely? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,069 #4 Posted November 28, 2020 The nuts should be Nylok type so nothing gets tightened up. Just placed so the bar still slides but the assembly does not flop around. Where the spring hooks on the bolt the nuts are not tight on the spring. They just keep the spring on the bolt. Garry 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,324 #5 Posted November 28, 2020 If you tightened the nuts enough to "lock" the bar, the bottom nylon sliders have probably been crushed and may need to be replaced. The spring loaded sliding tensioner pulley keeps correct tension on the belt to compensate for wear and also affords some protection for the assembly if or when a blade contacts a solid object. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelsey 91 #6 Posted November 29, 2020 Thanks Gary and Ed for your helpful inputs. Have a slice of pumpkin pie on me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
