Repairs Knocked Axle Out

S

Skeeter1a

Forum Newbie
I picked up an older Craftsman II 12.hp 38-inch mower model #917.255572.
Long story short I knocked the left axle out of the gearbox :ashamed:.
It destroyed the retaining ring (Part #3656) on the shaft rendering it useless and they are no longer available from Sears.
I used some JB weld to hold on the 15-tooth miter gear to the shaft.
It worked temporarily but the shaft has come loose again.

I now am thinking of …

1. Putting JB weld all over the shafts splines and not just the end. (not crazy ‘bout this idea).
2. Using a split collar clamp where the retaining ring went, if it will fit and clear the spider gears.
3. Drilling a hole in the shaft and installing a cotter pin in place of the retaining ring to hold the miter gear.

Thoughts? And… is the retaining ring (Part #3656) available anyplace else?

Thank you.
 
Take it to a machine shop and have them machine a new groove and affix a new retaining ring which is either an internal or external circlip.
 
It will be fine.
The trick is to machine the groove deep enough and put a washer between the clip & the case.
Most mower wheels are held on with nothing more than an E clip.
 
So long as you didn't bugger the machined in grove in the axle, a new snap ring should work fine. If you did, the parted groove in the axle will need cleaned up in a lathe with a parting tool.

simple job I can do in my shop in about 3 minutes.,
 
I split the case and took the axle out. The groove on the end appears to be in good shape.

I put on a 5/8 external retaining ring. I think it's a little small. An 11/16 ring is tough to find. I checked tractor supply, Home Depot and my local hardware store. I think I'll order one and wait to see how it fits.


Gear.jpg
 
McMaster-Carr and Fastenal sell box quantities only for the most part. I have commercial accounts with both. Not sure about your third source.
 
And don't forget to find & remove the remains of the old clip.
It is in there somewhere and can do unbelievable damage if it gets caught between the teeth of any gear set.
 
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