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(ET) E20 transmission whine and overhaul advice request



The transmission whine while mowing the grass has been getting louder over the last 2 years. Yesterday the whine was so loud that I started thinking of getting ear plugs, or taking the transmission apart and replacing the (imagined) offending bearing.

I took the transmission apart, 90W oil was clean and proper level, no metal flakes at all in case. I used heat and a brake drum puller to remove wheel hubs (remove 2 set screws on each hub), a bearing puller to remove axle shaft housing & outboard bearing.

The gears and bearings all look good (after 30 years of use?!), only minor shifting gear wear. I think the offending whine maker is an idler shaft that has a splined gear and a integral gear, and maybe a missing thrust washer. The splines (fine splines) are loose and the gear warbles where it should be tight (the splines are not for shifting, maybe for assembly or maybe the gear could be welded (maybe clearance problems with welding) on the shaft. The side face of the splined gear had a thrust washer against the (pulley side) bearing boss & needle bearing, the other end of the shaft did not have a thrust washer at the (brake side)case needle bearing.

Does anyone have a exploded view of the transmission guts, showing thrust washers etc.? Has anyone encountered a whine caused by a loose splined idler gear? Am I on the right track?
jim leuba

leuba at cncrepair.com