QuestionMurray riding mower, Model 40507X8A, 2000. When I shift out of 1st gear to 2nd, the shifter bracket rubs on the idler pulley grinding off the lip and freezing the pulley until the belt burns a gash in it. I can run it in 1st and reverse. I adjusted the clutch from one end to the other and adjusted the brake as well. The belt is new and I checked its size, it is OEM. I took the shifter off of the transmission shaft and checked looked it over and reconnected it with the shifter. All gears work fine. I can't figure out how to keep the bracket from making contact with the idler pulley when in higher gears. Any ideas?
AnswerYou are dealing with the fact that a Murray is built out of aluminum and tin.
My first guess is that your idler arm is either bent or the bushing is shot.
Check the pivot on the idler arm. If the bushing is okay bend the arm up or down as needed to clear the shifter.
Some times on a Murray you just have to do what you gotta do to make it work.
Did you actually buy an OEM belt or did you buy one that was the same length. The chances of a non OEM belt fitting properly are slim to none. A 1/4" in width equals about 2 inches in length. When they build these mowers they pretty well make sure you have to buy there belts.
If the package doesn't say Murray it's not OEM
