Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Transaxle shifter wont move

Question
Hi!
Please forgive me as I know nothing about small engines or transaxles, for that matter.  Ok, I have a 1991 Murray riding mower, 38" deck, 12hp Briggs and Stratton engine.  The issue I'm having is with the transaxle.  It says "Foote 3865" - I hope that helps.  Basically, the shifter won't shift-it won't move at all.  I took the transaxle out and opened it up and the shifter assembly is seized up.  I'm not sure if this part is supposed to come out of the assembly or not, which is why I haven't taken a hammer to it yet.  Everything in there looks fine, its just that the shifter won't move an inch.  Do I just hit it with a hammer to free it?  Is it supposed to come out?  It feels like it's welded in place, lol.  I really want to fix it but I don't want to mess anything up in the process. Also, the grease looks cracked and kind of dried up.  How can I clean all the old grease out?  And what kind of grease goes back in?  lol.  As I said, I have no idea what I'm messing with.  Any advice would be sincerely appreciated!!!  Thanks so much!

Answer
Let's start with the grease.  First, DO NOT let the gear clusters or washers come a part...the warsher have to go on a certain dircction.

Use some heavy rubber gloves and scrape out as much as possible.  Next use the solvent of your choice, parts cleaner, gasoline, paint thinner, etc., to clean the rest of the grease out of the transmission.  Make sure what ever you use that is is properly disposed of based on your local regulations.

So now it's clean.

As for the shifter, there is a detent and ball under a set screw you need to remove.  The set screw is located in a hole on the top of the gear box housing.  Remove with an allen wrench...do NOT loose the spring and ball.  You should now be able to move the shifter.  DO NOT hit the top of the shifter!!!  If you need to lightly tap it out, install a bolt into the shifter bolt hole and gently tap the bolt.

With is all clean and the shifter moving put all the internal parts back in the bottom case.  Make sure you align the bronze bushing tangs in the case housing...there are small cut outs for the tangs.  Also, make sure the differential is (axles) are aligned...messed this up before.

When all the parts are inside the top case should go on easy with no gaps in the housing.  Once you know all the internal parts are installed properly, use some silicone on the bottom case as a sealer...just go all the way around the lower or upper case.

Fill with new Grease: Bentonite Grease, Tecumseh Part Number 788067B.

Use the link below and find a similar transaxle and use the same about of grease.  The Peerless transaxles that look similar to yours are actually very similar so the repair manual can be used on Foote/Dana transaxles.

http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Tecumseh-Peerless_Motion_Drive_System_-_Transmi(691218).pdf

Let me know if this helps.
Eric