QuestionQUESTION: A 1996 Craftsman garden tractor model # 917.251481. Transaxle assembly # 140332, subsequently #184956.
Recently I noticed the shift lever (6-speed transaxle, 3 hi/low) was moving backward with great force after the tractor was underway in any forward gear. Today the brake/"clutch" pedal became increasingly difficult to operate (difficult to push forward) and this afternoon the transaxle began to lock up - at one point burning the drive belt.
Is this the end of my transaxle, or should I be checking something for an easier fix? I've pushed this little tractor to the extreme this winter, blowing almost 3/4 million cubic feet of snow off my mountainside road. That tractor has been a brave soldier.
ANSWER: Hello Lee:
Check the Transaxle Mounting Bolts. It Sounds like the Transaxle May have Loosened from the Frame and the Movement of the Transaxle is Causing this Problem. Check the Clutch/Brake Linkage and be Sure it is Not Binding. A Loose Transaxle will Cause the Linkage to Bind Also. On the Transaxle is an OEM Identification Plate. Send me the Information Off of This Plate, Please. With this Information, I can Locate the Proper Manuals and Better Assist You. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John - You were absolutely right. The transaxle has an upper mount; the right side of the mount had broken in half and the other side had lost its bolt, which I later found on the ground. There are now two issues. First, there is a lot of shuddering (brake pedal, various pulleys) when the drive belt is engaged (including when the trans is in neutral). Could this be because the drive belt was burned when the axle froze up? It has a burned out gouge. Second, I cannot shift into 2nd/5th gear. The other gears are fine. Would I be able to use the tractor without 2nd/5th gear until I can have the transaxle fixed? Can it be fixed? I found two numbers on the transaxle tag: 139533 and 83555. I was laying in the snow, trying to read the upside-down numbers and could have made a transcribing error.
AnswerHello Again Lee:
To Correct the Vibration Problem; Change the Belt. A Belt with a Gouge is No Longer Balanced and will Cause Vibration. Check All the Linkage and Pulleys when you Replace the Belt and be Sure that None of the Pulleys or the Linkage is Bent or Damaged. If the Vibration is Still Present After you Replace the Belt, then you will have to Disassemble the Transaxle and Locate the Internal Problem. After the Belt is Replaced and if the Belt Corrected the Vibration Problem and the Transaxle is Not Grinding or Bucking; you can Most likely Use the Mower Until you have the Time and Opportunity to Remove the Transaxle and Correct the Internal Transaxle Problem. Sears has Changed their Site and it Appears it will be Easier to Locate the Proper Breakdowns for their Equipment. To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers (917.251481) in the Upper Right Model Search Box and Click Search. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and Click Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Select the Transaxle and ti will have the Breakdown for the Transaxle. The Old Site Look Up Did Not Show the Transaxle Breakdown. It Looks like Sears is Getting Better with Online Assistance. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
