I'm having an issue with my T1200 craftsman mower. It started with it not wanting to go in to reverse and it eventually got to the point where I had no brakes and when I put it into gear it would start to creep forward even with the clutch/ brake pedal down. I think I've isolated the problem to where the clutch/ brake linkage engage behind the right rear tire. So..... the problem I have now is that I can't seem to get that tire off. I've tried everything from spraying it down with penetrating oil to beating on the back of the rim with a piece of angle iron and a heavy hammer and it won't budge. It looks like it had a keeper on the rim at one time but it's been replaced with just a washer. Any ideas on how to get the rim off so I can get a better look at what's going on with the linkage?
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Okay penetrating oil will not work period. The oil swells the dirt and rust forming a seal off area.
Try this instead provided you have not beating beating the shaft where the screw goes.
Try this instead provided you have not beating beating the shaft where the screw goes.
- Get a schedule 40 3/4 PCV coupler.
- Cut it nearly in nearly leaving leave the center stop intact.
- Now here is the tricky and heat maybe needed, drive the end with the stop ring on the rim standoff. Heat will soften the plastic but use no more necessary. You are wanting a very tight fit.
- Turn rim and if necessary the mower up where this becomes a cup.
- Fill with with 2 cycle fuel mix and let soak in. You may need to refill the cup a few times.
- This usually loosen the rust up.
- If this don't work the last resort is to try Muriatic Acid. It will eat away the rust. Just got get the past swelled rust area. Careful don't breathe the fumes. It can take your breathe away. Also don't get it on anything aluminum. Once the rim is off neutralize the acid with water and immediately oil things to prevent flash rusting.
sgkent
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If you can find an inexpensive replacement rim, you can always Sawzall the wheel to make a slit, then pry to widen the slit and pull it off.
As to your original problem. Have you checked the brake pads and cable / bar tension? Lots of mowers use a pad that wears, and when it does the belt geometry and behavior changes. Sometimes it will cause slippage, sometimes it will fail to brake the pulleys.
As to your original problem. Have you checked the brake pads and cable / bar tension? Lots of mowers use a pad that wears, and when it does the belt geometry and behavior changes. Sometimes it will cause slippage, sometimes it will fail to brake the pulleys.
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Auto Doc's
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Hello T.,
You already have another posting for this same machine. Why a new posting? That creates confusion for the folks trying to help you.
Please try to show continuity by only having one posting per machine you need help with.
On to the reply....
A homemade solvent mix I have used for year as a technician is a 50/50 mix of transmission fluid and Acetone.
You mix it in a small steel container with a screw on top and only use a little at a time. Acetone evaporates quickly by itself, but when mixed with transmission fluid it slows down the evaporation and thins the transmission fluid so it can creep into the tightest rusted parts easily.
This shop "mixture" was around long before the convenient trash they sell in spray cans today.
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Even using the 50/50 mix you got to it in there which the coupler cup I describe would do as you need very, very, deep penetration. This is because these rims can be rusted all the way front to back.
And use anti seize when installing either the removed rim or a new rim. They can get sticky too but once the mixture get in there and dissolved the grease part of the anti seize they come off fairly easy.
I've only had the mower for a couple of weeks so I don't know much about it. It started by having issues trying to shift from forward to reverse then progressed to where I had no brakes and it would creep forward when it was in gear. After looking at it, it looked like the issue was with the linkage that runs from the clutch/ brake peddle back to the transmission. Now I'm stuck because I can't get the rear tire off to see what's going on. I don't want to ruin a rim if I can help it. I might check with a local parts store to see if they have something that can loosen the rust. I've also seen where an 8" gear can be used to pry the wheel off but that involves taking all of the air out of the tire in order to get the gear puller on.
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I agree that most of the so call penetrating sprays are just junk. I tried many of claiming to remove rust and none as far works as advertise. And I do have more success with the 50/50 acetone and transmission mix. The problem with acetone it will damage paint. Currently trying a highly recommend Kroil but on first few projects it has failed to live up to its advertising too. So far it has been a waste of $35. Now on mildly struck screws it works works better than the others I tried.
Just one warning leave the wife's acetone alone and get your own or its a frying pan up aside your head.
