Xref: 127.0.0.1 alt.home.lawn.garden:4809

I have a 42" Craftsman (917.258523) riding mower and have decided to
change out the mower deck and mandrel shafts. The shaft's star keyway
for the blades have worn flat. The probelm: I can't get the nut off of
the top of the shaft, the shaft spins freely in the housing and I
can't hold the pulley tight enough to get the nut lose.

Any suggestions...