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My 2005ish Craftsman LT200 (AYP) transaxle snapped off the main shaft. I don’t have the skill to rebuild it and Tecumseh is out of business. It’s a 6 speed manual, model mst-206-545c. Is there a direct replacement unit from another maker I could buy and swap in?

there's several floating around on Ebay, used and good condition. just punch that MST-206-545c in.

You do have the skill
what you don't have is the knowledge or confidence in yourself.
We have the knowledge

bertsmobile1 said:

You do have the skill
what you don't have is the knowledge or confidence in yourself.
We have the knowledge

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What I need to do is replace the input shaft because it snapped right at the case. I presume I have to split the case to do that? I took out all the bolds and tapped around it a bit but it appears to be pretty well glued together.

The part is only 12 bucks. It would sure be nice if I could pop a new one in there.

Well you are better than 1/2 way there , don't stop now
The repair manual is here under Tecumseh K & C parts
Find an IPL and check that all of the case bolts are out
After that it is just a matter of prying on the pry places ( in manual ) till it splits .
Replace the lubricant and the seal if there is one .
The cases are genrerally held together with silicon .
Dumping the whole thing in petrol for a day or two will soften the silicon a bit.
Same story for cleaning the surface
A scoth brite pad dipped in petrol will generally shift the goo
And yes I LOATHE SILICON to .

bertsmobile1 said:

Well you are better than 1/2 way there , don't stop now
The repair manual is here under Tecumseh K & C parts
Find an IPL and check that all of the case bolts are out
After that it is just a matter of prying on the pry places ( in manual ) till it splits .
Replace the lubricant and the seal if there is one .
The cases are genrerally held together with silicon .
Dumping the whole thing in petrol for a day or two will soften the silicon a bit.
Same story for cleaning the surface
A scoth brite pad dipped in petrol will generally shift the goo
And yes I LOATHE SILICON to .

Click to expand...

IPL?

Elkins45 said:

IPL?

Click to expand...

Illustrated Parts List

And take lots of picture when you're taking it apart. And I sometimes get a piece of cardboard, punch holes in it in the same pattern as the thing I'm working on, put the bolts in the holes to match where they came out. Sometimes gets tedious but can save a lot of head scratching a week or two later.

Any idea how that shaft got broken? Seems odd that could even happen.

tom3 said:

Any idea how that shaft got broken? Seems odd that could even happen.

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Well, it's been used quite a bit over the last 15 years, so I'm not surprised something broke, but I was also surprised when I took it off and the pulley just fell off. I was mowing beside a concrete driveway and went to cross to mow the other side. I guess the deck must have gotten out of adjustment because the deck edge caught on the edge of the driveway and it stopped me cold. It snapped with I stopped, or perhaps a fraction of a second later. I've snagged the deck on stuff before but the wheels always just spun until I could hit the clutch. I guess the cumulative stress just finally got to it.

Here's an IPL. Do I need anything besides a new input shaft, key and retaining clip?

Pull it apart first and have a look befor you order anything .
The most commonly replaced parts are the shift keys which get broke because people shift while moving.
If you are going to make the effort & wear the grime you may as well do everything that needs doing while you are in there
But in a fix it quick & cheap, just the shaft & the seal will do .
While it is off pull the brake caliper off by removing the outside buts only then clean & polish the two pins which press on the pad.
Some light grease or never sieze on the pins before you put them back.

bertsmobile1 said:

Pull it apart first and have a look befor you order anything .
The most commonly replaced parts are the shift keys which get broke because people shift while moving.
If you are going to make the effort & wear the grime you may as well do everything that needs doing while you are in there
But in a fix it quick & cheap, just the shaft & the seal will do .
While it is off pull the brake caliper off by removing the outside buts only then clean & polish the two pins which press on the pad.
Some light grease or never sieze on the pins before you put them back.

Click to expand...

I found a used Spicer locally that I swapped in and the brakes were totally frozen. I bought it attached to an old mower frame and I guess it must have been sitting in the dirt for a while. It took a few squirts of Kroil and a big punch but I finally broke them free. I went ahead and flipped over the brake pads while I had it off. So the good news is that I can work on my old Tecumseh at my leisure.

That's good advice on getting it apart before ordering parts, but I've been the only owner and I've never shifted in gear. so I hope the internals are in good shape. The input shaft sheared right where the groove for the retaining clip was, and the key was rusted into the shaft when I knocked the stub loose from the pulley. I thought the keys were supposed to shear first?

Just to add two things. Be very careful when disassembling the two rows of gears, as they have very sharp edges and like to cut anything. Also note the direction you remove the shift washers (part #30) as they are directional and if you reverse any of them the unit will not shift properly.

Rivets said:

Just to add two things. Be very careful when disassembling the two rows of gears, as they have very sharp edges and like to cut anything. Also note the direction you remove the shift washers (part #30) as they are directional and if you reverse any of them the unit will not shift properly.

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I’m hopeful it won’t require taking those assemblies apart. That looks like a disaster just waiting to happen

Really not that hard if you take your time. Will need to disassemble the shifter gears to check the shift keys for wear.

I have the same transaxle in my 1999 917.270812 mower. It won’t go up hill. The wheels don’t spin but kind of shudders back and forth (foreword and reverse about 1/2” each way) like something is slipping inside the transaxle. There’s no squealing like the drive belt Is slipping. Does anyone have experience on rebuilding these units and can determine what parts have failed? I’ve seen gear and shaft assemblies for sale so I guess I could rebuild it and save a few bucks. Not new to wrench spinning. Just rebuilt the LQ9 in our car. So I feel it’s doable.

I probably rebuilt between 25-50 of those trannies over the past 50 years and they are not that difficult if you have the patience and room to lay all the parts out as you are taking it apart. If you reread this thread you will get a few pointers as what to look for and be careful of. Particularly sharpness of parts and direction of washers between gears. Do not purchase any parts until you have cleaned and checked each component. Here is a service manual. https://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Tecumseh-Peerless-Transmissions-Transaxles-Differentials-Gear-Boxs/

It is possible. years ago I sheared a shaft by just braking so hard as I about to go over a four drop off. Real fun to push a mower a half mile.

Can't determine exactly what without going inside and checking things. It like a doctor you got heart problems but without looking inside he can't really tell what is wrong.

A big thanks to all of you. Any special tools required other than standard mech. tools?

Simple answer NO, unless you think three rolls of paper towels and large pan of parts cleaner are special.

I’ve been on the internet searching new and used units. I came across a company in Lincoln Nebraska called Surplus Center that has new units at a great price. Has anyone heard and had dealings with them.

Rivets said:

Simple answer NO, unless you think three rolls of paper towels and large pan of parts cleaner are special.

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If I only need three rolls of blue paper towels then it must be a piece of cake. LOL!

Might have a box of band aids, I’ve always needed at least 1, many sharp parts

Got a box in easy reach. Within two feet! Along with butterfly closures! Seriously! You’re dealing with the guy that tried to cut his leg off with a chainsaw.