How do I lube my front Spindles?

..But I can't see any way to lube the front spindles (king pins) . I don't see any grease fittings either, how is this done?

You'll need to remove the spindles from their sleeve and apply grease in the shafts.

its not hard to grease the spindels, i do it all the time, do it like one a year unless u go mudding, then do it after every run to keep sediment out, and the spindels in good working order

Thanks Shawn;
Sure does seem like a strange arrangement to avoid installing a couple grease fittings

I have seen some models where there is a plastic zerk bushing, I have seen also a zerk on the wheel hub, and I have seen a zerk in the front of the axle. The one on the front of the axle is often packed (hidden) by dirt and oil (grease) making it look black..the color of the frame..
Wheel bushing Zerk


But like said in above replies, sometimes you just got to remove the thing and add grease the old fashioned way..

congrats on getting yourself a ride!
Im up to my jugular in MTD myself..

i believe you can buy front tires that have grease fittings built in them......i think you can get grease fittings for your spindels too......u might have to so some mods to make it work, idk i just take them apart on my murray

Why not take them off and drill it out. Tap it. Then insert your own grease fittings in?

Marines2621 wrote:

Why not take them off and drill it out. Tap it. Then insert your own grease fittings in?

That. If there is enough room for grease in the front spindle mount, it should be pretty easy to drill a hole and add your own fittings.

That. If there is enough room for grease in the front spindle mount, it should be pretty easy to drill a hole and add your own fittings.[/quote]


Yes if there is enough room. Need to remember that.

If its a newer MTD- they have open axle ends - and really no way to keep the grease in - its supported by 2 bushings, however my '92 white came with some sort of plastic cap on the axle ends with a zerk fitting to grease the spindles.


Actually the biggest problem is the center pivot - its thin metal and eventually will rust/break off - my white did that. It wouldnt hurt to pull the front axle off and grease the pivot area either ocassionally .

Another big area is the rear wheels - IF its a variable pulley/transaxle ( F -N -R ) setup - wheels have a flat edge and the axles have corresponding flat edge and are a tight fit - if the wheels will come off, i highly suggest greasing them , but on one mod MTD i actually lightly ground the axles ( to slide on and off easier), but the axle bolt needs to be good and tight to hold them on.