Lots of squeaking coming from rear axle

[LT1045wrh]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 42" Murray Select 2004, w/17.5hp BS motor, 6 spd manual trans. I was mowing yesterday and noticed a squeaking noise coming from the rear axle, I think. It's hard to hear exactly where the squeak is coming from, but that's where it sounds like. Anyway, I've had this mower since it was new and as you can see, it is pretty old and used. Do I need to change the trans. fluid, or add fluid? If so, does anyone have any information about this?
After about an hour's worth of mowing, I felt the transmission housing and it wasn't hot, just warm. This has been a great mower, so I want to fix it if something is going wrong. It never had this squeak before, so I consider it a warning.
Thank you,
Wendy :biggrin:

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 42" Murray Select 2004, w/17.5hp BS motor, 6 spd manual trans. I was mowing yesterday and noticed a squeaking noise coming from the rear axle, I think. It's hard to hear exactly where the squeak is coming from, but that's where it sounds like. Anyway, I've had this mower since it was new and as you can see, it is pretty old and used. Do I need to change the trans. fluid, or add fluid? If so, does anyone have any information about this?
After about an hour's worth of mowing, I felt the transmission housing and it wasn't hot, just warm. This has been a great mower, so I want to fix it if something is going wrong. It never had this squeak before, so I consider it a warning.
Thank you,
Wendy :biggrin:

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One possibility might be that the brake pads and or brake rotor need some attention.

Unless you have seen transmission lubricant leaking one usually doesn't need to add.

 

[LT1045wrh]

Thanks, I didn't think of that, I'll check it out. No, I haven't had any trans fluid leaking. I thought these trans were sealed for life? Don't know what life is though. Ha Ha.
I did adjust the break when I changed the drive belt at the beginning of the summer, so maybe it needs adjusted again.
Have a nice day,
Wendy :biggrin:

 

[DaveTN]

I'm in the process of tearing down a 11 HP Murray, front engine, with the left rear axle bearings out of it and the trans axle locked up. What happened is the needle bearings went out and the shaft ground them up and scattered them throughout the transaxle gears and locked it up. If no major damage was done I may be able to get by with bearings and a seal. Realistically looking at replacing the transaxle entirely. This would be the worst case scenario if your bearings are starting to go. I'd check the fluid level just in case. Good news is that it's not ~~~HOT~~~. I used to work for SEARS and they were shipping the BIGGEST transaxle they had at the time from the factory WITHOUT GREASE IN IT!! We serviced one garden tractor locked up with a complete new one in the field and I told the other tech to check it for grease and there wasn't ONE DROP in it!! That was why the other one locked up and burned out. I beleive that huge unit went on a 52" cut. Monster of a mower as I recall. You could plow with it. We made a report to the main headquarters to correct it. God only knows how many went out, or died an early death on account of no lube in the rear axle assembly!

 

[Rivets]

Squirt a little oil where the axle meets the tranny. The seals there may be getting dry and the axle is rubbing on the aluminum bushing. These can be easily rebuilt if needed. I am including a site where you can download a Peerless manual, as that is the type of tranny Murray used back then. Hope this helps.

http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=113616

 

[LT1045wrh]

Re: no more squeek

Thank you for all of your help. I did get some oil on the axle and some of the other areas that may have been a little dry. Last time I used it, I mowed for about 2hrs and no squeeking. Yeah! Now the only noise I hear is this loud B&S engine. Are there any mufflers that fit this 17.5hp engine that are a little less noisy? This Murray is the loudest mower I have ever had.
Have a nice day,
Wendy

 

[Rivets]

Sorry, I know what you are talking about with the muffler, but to my knowledge there is no easy solution. Glad to hear the squeaking is solved, just remember to lube it about every two to three months.