Repairs Craftsman 42" mower - drive train issue

[HWT]

I have a 42" Craftsman mower 12 years old. It has the hydrostatic type drive where the more you move the shift lever either direction, the faster you go. The transmission has always been a bit noisy in reverse, but worked. This spring it does not want to allow me to push the mower into or out of the garage when I release the lever in the back. Almost seems like the brake is on. It does drive okay under power, but a bit more noisy and slower than ussual. Any ideas? Is there fluid in the drive that I should check and change?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[dodgefate]

I know that on my YTH4500 the arm that holds that lil wire broke off a few weeks ago, I just hop under it now and make sure its in the right position.