I have a FWD walk behind JS26 mower. The gears where grinding when engaged. I replaced the wheels as I could see that both wheels had internal plastic gears that where worn. I installed the new wheels and the grinding improved, but still present. I looked at the metal pinion gear and by eye there is no wear. It seems a bit polished from where they mate with the plastic gear. My thought is that these gears may not be hardened as most metal gears are but they are still a lot harder than the plastic. Hence the plastic is the material that wears, not the steel. There is a bit of run out in the gear as the fit appears to be .006 to .008 over the shaft size. A typica machinel fit would be a slip fit with about .001 or less of clearance. But tight tolerances cost money and I assume this sloppy fit is by design. The bearing in the new wheels have some play as well as the ball bearings in the wheel adjusters. My next move is to replace all of the bearings with high quality sealed ball bearings. I do not think replacing the steel gear is going to do much of anything to help but they are cheap so I may as well replace them.
In short, the gears and ball bearings are not that expensive. That is why I am taking a shot gun approach and replacing all.
What am I missing. Where may I be thinking wrong? What else could I do that I am not?
In short, the gears and ball bearings are not that expensive. That is why I am taking a shot gun approach and replacing all.
What am I missing. Where may I be thinking wrong? What else could I do that I am not?