craftsman riding lawmoer bagger

[std.28]

i have a used.craftsman ridding mower,model #917.254520,the lower half does not fit the deck shoot witch causes the grass to back up.i'v tried getting the parts from sears but apparently,sears says they no longer sell it for that model/year,its a 38" deck,is there any way i can get that part,alsosears outlet gave me a model # that is for a newer yearcan any one lelp.ebay has a used complete bagger 42" but no one can tell me if the shute opening will fit a 38"

 

[motoman]

std, Hello, wish I could help, but only have a 2009 48" Sometimes parts fit but not by PN searches. (Will a later , bigger bottom half bolt up -er, spring attach?) But I would guess adapting a shute from a bigger, later unit might present flow problems based on lesser horsepowerblade blast. Anyway maybe someone here will have a better suggestion.