Tuff Torq K57 Rebuild

Craftsman Garage · Nov 12, 2025

Hi guys, I have a Tuff Torq K57 from a Husqvarna YTH24K48 and was wondering what is involved to rebuild it? I just want it to be restored to the original speed, and I'm planning to resurface the pumps with sandpaper, but I was wondering if just resurfacing things would fix the transaxle groaning? What causes this? Also, what would be the best oil to use in this if I clean it all out? I'm hearing a lot of conflicting answers about this.

StarTech · Nov 12, 2025

Cavitation...

You need at least a seal kit
1A646099151

or if center section and pump motor(s) are a repair kit.
1A646098420

When disassembly pay very attention to part placement. Better yet take a lot of pictures as you disassembly. Item 36 is the motor plate that can be installed 180 out. This will reverse the transaxle operating directions.

Craftsman Garage · Nov 12, 2025

StarTech said:
Cavitation...

You need at least a seal kit
1A646099151

or if center section and pump motor(s) are a repair kit.
1A646098420

When disassembly pay very attention to part placement. Better yet take a lot of pictures as you disassembly. Item 36 is the motor plate that can be installed 180 out. This will reverse the transaxle operating directions.
View attachment 72299

Thanks, Do you know which filter is better, the older paper or the newer mesh one?

StarTech · Nov 13, 2025

I don't know but it would be like wearing panty hose vs heavy socks. Without without the transaxle full I don't what they but the two I looked up has the paper type and that is what is in the kit.

Tiger Small Engine · Nov 13, 2025

Craftsman Garage said:
Hi guys, I have a Tuff Torq K57 from a Husqvarna YTH24K48 and was wondering what is involved to rebuild it? I just want it to be restored to the original speed, and I'm planning to resurface the pumps with sandpaper, but I was wondering if just resurfacing things would fix the transaxle groaning? What causes this? Also, what would be the best oil to use in this if I clean it all out? I'm hearing a lot of conflicting answers about this.

Look for scoring on pumps as well as the surface they ride on. If too deep may need to buy new parts. Real pain from start to finish to rebuild a hydro transaxle. If you do all that work and it doesn’t help it then becomes very frustrating and time consuming as well.

Craftsman Garage · Nov 13, 2025

Tiger Small Engine said:
Look for scoring on pumps as well as the surface they ride on. If too deep may need to buy new parts. Real pain from start to finish to rebuild a hydro transaxle. If you do all that work and it doesn’t help it then becomes very frustrating and time consuming as well.

This may be my unpopular opinion, but this is the 3rd Tuff Torq (2 K46, this K57) that I have rebuilt, and I find it pretty easy and straightforward.

StarTech · Nov 13, 2025

Craftsman Garage said:
This may be my unpopular opinion, but this is the 3rd Tuff Torq (2 K46, this K57) that I have rebuilt, and I find it pretty easy and straightforward.

I have had good doing the same just got to have a very clean environment to do it in.

I just a week ago a guy that was trying get used unit for his mower to work. Someone had apparently been inside as the operation was reversed. I tried to get him to let straighten them out but he refused. Afraid of the repair bill.

Tiger Small Engine · Nov 14, 2025

Craftsman Garage said:
This may be my unpopular opinion, but this is the 3rd Tuff Torq (2 K46, this K57) that I have rebuilt, and I find it pretty easy and straightforward.

I have rebuilt a few in the past. Only one had stopped moving the mower. I tried sanding the pumps and pump surfaces unsuccessfully apparently because it did not improve forward and reverse travel on the mower. I have one this winter I am going to tackle, or swap out another K46. Customer pulled a lawn roller you fill with water several times and pooched the transaxle, so I ended up with it for free. Money to be made for sure if repair can be made. I don’t offer hydro repairs to customers however for multiple reasons.

Craftsman Garage · Nov 14, 2025

Tiger Small Engine said:
I have rebuilt a few in the past. Only one had stopped moving the mower. I tried sanding the pumps and pump surfaces unsuccessfully apparently because it did not improve forward and reverse travel on the mower. I have one this winter I am going to tackle, or swap out another K46. Customer pulled a lawn roller you fill with water several times and pooched the transaxle, so I ended up with it for free. Money to be made for sure if repair can be made. I don’t offer hydro repairs to customers however for multiple reasons.

I forgot to mention this, but this transaxle I want to rebuild to swap into my Craftsman Pro Series T7400 to replace the continuously problematic cvt. This is just my personal mower, so I'm doing all of the upgrades like front bushing to bearing conversion, electronic fuel pump system, and the last thing on the list was this TT K57 swap. This mower will be both looking as well as driving like a Cadillac soon!

Tuff Torq K57 Rebuild

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Tiger Small Engine

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