I have a 2010 XP rear bagger rear wheel drive mower made in 2010 and it sat basically al winter and when we used it in the spring the rear wheels are locking up when trying to pull mower back. I took the rear wheels off and cleaned gears and lubed with dry molly and they look good but it still does it.
Sounds like your return spring is broken or the area around it built up with gunk and its not returning well. Turn it over and have someone run the drive while you watch it work. You will see what it is doing. Make sure the mower has the plug wire removed from the spark plug.
