QuestionQUESTION: This is in regards to a Murray 30560b 30" 10hp rear engine riding mower. It hadn't been used for a couple years and now it seems that the shifter is hard (stiff) and sometimes tough to get in the correct spot for the gear. There doesn't seem to be any binding on the linkages. Do these rear ends have a plug where you can add more grease, or what should I be looking to do to help it?
ANSWER: Do you have the Dana 4450-1 transaxle?
If so, then the transaxle uses grease, not oil. You pretty much have to dis-assemble the entire transaxle to change or replace the grease...you have to scoop/scrape out the old grease.
You can try loosening the detent ball screw and see if it shifts any easier. If so, spray some WD-40 in the hole as the ball or fan gear may be rusty...see this before.
Parts list link:
https://www.m-and-d.com/dana_foote_parts.html
Eric
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QUESTION: I don't know what transmission is in it. Is the detent ball screw where the shifter rod goes into the transmission?
AnswerNo, the detent ball is located inside the transaxle. There will be a screw on top of the transaxle to access the detent spring and ball.
The screw hole allows you to insert the detent ball, then the spring and finally the screw to hold them in place after you have finished assembling the transaxle.
It will probably by very difficult to access the screw with the transaxle in place. You could try lowering the transaxle by removing the retaining bolts but even then I'm not sure you would have enough room to access the screw.
Have you ever removed a transaxle?
Eric
