Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman lawn tractor repair, lawn tractor repair, craftsman lawn tractor

Question
QUESTION: 18.0 HP, 42" mower electric start 6 speed trans axle model No. 917.273392:  The starter solenoid is loose..exactly how do I tighten it?

ANSWER: The starter solenoid is generally held on by two mounting bolts
that should have a nut on the other side, or do you mean that the terminal connections are loose?  Do you mean the terminal on the
starter itself is loose?

  Otherwise, does the tractor start normally?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the tractor does NOT start normally, the problem appears to be that the solenoid canister has slipped down about 1/8 of an inch.  I do not see the mounting bolts.  How do I get to them.


starter and solenoid   ANSWER: I am goint to try and post a pic, it shows both a starter solenoid, and a Briggs starter, just so we are talking about the same item.
The one on the right is the starter, so let me know which one you are talking about.
Thanks,

Fish

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am looking at my tractor, nothing has been removed, the hood is up and the  canister on the right side of the engine is dropped down about 1/8 inch..I feel certain that this is where my starter problem starts..I don't know if this is the actual starter and the solenoid is on the top because it is covered..my question is..where do I begin to find the mounting screws  for this canister on the side of the engine?  Do I have to take the red cover off the engine before I start?  How do I begin, for instance to take off the starter?  There is a red wire that goes to the battery on the bottom of this canister (which may be the starter)
and a smaller black wire.  If I could see the top of this canister I could tell you if this is the starter..I do know the starter from the solenoid.  I just need to know what I have to take apart to get to the starter.

Answer
According to the Sears website, you have a briggs ohv engine, and if this is the case, then you are talking about the starter, and it would be the one in my pic.  The mounting bolts are up out of view, and you will have to remove the covers to access them easily.  It sounds like the starter itself has rattled apart, and will need replaced.

 Fish