Toro Front Wheel Drive Self Propel Pulley

[MabletonMower]

My 10 year old toro self propelled lawn mower (model 20016) was having issues with the self propel feature. I tried to change the belt and the new belt freed up the stuck wheels but it was still making a bad sound and though the wheel were slightly powered when lifted in the air they stopped when they were on the ground. I decided to change the transmission which I think I have done with the exception of the last step. The belt spins a pulley which sits on a drive shaft that goes to the transmission. The pulley is attached to this drive shaft via a nut and washer. The problem I'm having is that I can't tighten the nut because when I try to tighten it the drive shaft just spins instead. I don't see any way of stopping the drive shaft from spinning. Stopping the wheels still allows the drive shaft to spin. grabbing the drive shaft with pliers would be almost impossible due to space limitations, and I think it would damage the threads. There must be a trick to this. Anyone have any suggestions?

Here is the parts diagram I'm talking about. The nut I'm trying to tighten is #25.

Toro |

 

[Rivets]

To tighten the pulley you must have the tranny open and use a socket on the drive gear from the inside. A socket (sorry I don't recall the size) will fit over the end of the gear to hold it so you can tighten the pulley nut.

 

[MabletonMower]

Thanks for the tip, I was able to get the pulley tightened down. Things appear to be generally working, but I did notice that the left front wheel seems to spin much more powerfully than the right wheel. Is that normal or is it possible that I put this back together wrong?

 

[Rivets]

Check to see if the gear teeth on the inside of the wheel are starting to shear.

 

[Floridamower]

To tighten the pulley you must have the tranny open and use a socket on the drive gear from the inside. A socket (sorry I don't recall the size) will fit over the end of the gear to hold it so you can tighten the pulley nut.

I didn't do it that way. Don't open up the new tranny. just put the tranny in before you attach the wheels to the shaft. Then take a screw driver and put it in the spot where the woodruff key goes. That will give you leverage to keep the shaft from turning and you can tighten the nut on the pulley.

I have a hell of a time getting the nut off to reuse the old pulley. Finally got it off by destroying the old tranny housing.

Now i have to figure out how to get the gears back onto the shaft right - something isn't right. the wheels won't turn.