Yep! bite the bullet and get a new one. Craftsman/Sears sells parts of mandrels, and if you can determine what is worn out, you can buy the parts you need for it. One thing--the legs of the mandrell housing usually break off when trying to remove them. You might be able to rebuild it on the deck.

Thanks, I got the mandrel off and I think it it beyond rebuilding. Found one about 30 miles away at a Sears parts store. I took the deck off the mower, and when I took the mandrel off, I cannot remember if the little spacer goes below the pulley or on top of the pulley. I think it goes on the bottom, at the top of the mandrel, but could someone please tell me before I guess and reassemble wrong and ruin a good mandrel.

Also, I cannot find or locate anyplace to grease the mandrels on this lawn tractor, so I guess they are sealed and lubed permanently....wrong assumption or did I guess correctly.

Yes, sealed bearings and yes- the spacer rests in between the pulley and spindle housing top. Good job.

Alright, got the mandrel, pulled off the deck, took bad one off, put new one on, put the deck back, and cut my grass...gotta say, it cuts better and sounds a whole lot better...like new!

Thanks for all the help...