B7100HST with RC60-71B making a noise

[spd164]

Started in the fall last year. I forgot about it over winter but now that the MMM is back on and I cut the grass twice I remember. Deck is making a slipping/rubbing noise in heavier/wet grass. No noticeable loss of rpm in the blades (cut is still smooth and clean) but every so often in heavy stuff this noise makes an appearance.

Is there a slip clutch or something that could be going bad on the deck that would cause this? Deck is well greased and the belt is in good shape. Pulleys all look good and seem to spin correctly (not misaligned or out of balance). Had one blade that was slipping but I just didn't have the bolt that holds the blade on tight enough. Doesn't seem to be a blade slipping cause they're still cutting evenly even when the noise happens. Only lasts a second or two and then it's gone.

Tried searching before I started a new thread and didn't come up with much.
Any thoughts gents?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

A bearing going out on the spindles and/or and idler can cause symptoms like this.

 

[spd164]

A bearing going out on the spindles and/or and idler can cause symptoms like this.

NIW thanks for the suggestion as always. Any quick or easy way to isolate which one it could be or to tell yay or nay without ripping each spindle apart?

 

[D2Cat]

Might remove the belt and turn the spindles (by hand) to feel any roughness or drag. Same with the idler bearing.

 

[spd164]

Might remove the belt and turn the spindles (by hand) to feel any roughness or drag. Same with the idler bearing.

Good thinking, that's a good place to start anyway. Now to find the time. Hopefully I can pull it apart some night this week. Thanks guys.