Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lx172 transmission

Question
i have a lx 172 john deere mower that has a blade and mowes great really like the mower but last week the transmission made a grinding sound and jumped and then wouldn't go forward anymore without a growling sound and then not at all would back up great which i did for 5 blocks to get home took tranmission out and was full of grease hard balls cleaned them all out and all the gears look good went to jd store and got new oil for it and filled back up  still doesn't work but still backs up what do you think is wrong? you talk about the fork? i'm not to up on parts or how to do but will try can you help me? what do you think is problem or should i look for different one hate to as great mower and runs great.

Answer
Do you have a Peerless 801 series transaxle?

If so, sounds like the shift keys broke on the forward drive side.  I have replaced a lot of keys and they generally exhibit the condition you described when they break...reverse works but no forward gears.

Peerless motion drive repair manual URL:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wfmfiles.com%2Fdownload%2FTecumseh-Peerless_Motion_Drive_System_-_Transmissions_%26_Differentials%2528691218%2529.pdf&ei=4yjUVIOfIoWvyAT61YKgAQ&usg=AFQjCNFkDa5TfpEbgtypte7leuCiNvaAbw

http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Tecumseh-Peerless_Motion_Drive_System_-_Transmi

Read the manual for a description of the shift keys.  Also, pay attention to how the shaft bushings have to be installed...there is a tab on each bushing which must be inserted in the case correctly.  Finally, some of the washers are chamfered...read the manual...it tells you which washers are chamfered and how they must be installed.

Eric