Transaxle leaking at driveshaft

[blues124]

Hi,
I am restoring a "classic" :laughing: Murray 42828X8B that sat outside for several years. It's coming along pretty well, but now I have noticed a small leak coming from the drive shaft seal on the Peerless transaxle. To access the bottom frame of the mower better for painting, I removed the rear axle and may have handled it too roughly (or maybe all the grime I removed was the only thing holding in the oil!)
Any suggestions on this? I've drained the transaxle, removed the bolts, but the gasket sealant is holding pretty firm and I wanted to check with the experts before I did anything too radical. The unit is pretty well sealed - is it maintenance-able? If so, whats the best way to separate the halves?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[blues124]

Alternatively, this is only a mower - could I just pour in some seal-swelling snake oil the fix the problem?

 

[Rivets]

Please post the peerless numbers for this unit. I can't believe that the drive shaft seal is leaking. I may be thinking of a different model, but I think you have a gear model with 5 speeds forward and 1 reverse.

 

[blues124]

I posted a picture of the bar code on the unit. That's the only numbers I see. 6 speeds fwd, 1 reverse.

 

[Rivets]

Your MST transaxle only has three shafts, two axle and one input. Which axle do you feel is leaking? This manual might help you identify parts.

http://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Tec...FFERENTIALS-SERVICE--REPAIR-MANUAL-691218.pdf

 

[blues124]

Thank you, that manual is very helpful. Mostly it convinced me I have no business opening up the transaxle!
I think the leak is coming from one the output shafts. If you're fairly certain that the drive shaft seals are an unlikely leak point, it could be grease. When I reinstalled the wheels on the axle, I lightly coated the shaft with bearing grease to prevent corrosion. It's possible that its just the grease that is leaking, but I can't understand why it would turn to a liquid in cool weather.

 

[Rivets]

Are you calling the wheel axles, drive shafts? If so, they each do have a seal and can leak. By removing the tranny from the unit and moving it around, many times by grabbing the axles and a turning them unsupported, you could have very easily cut the seals. MST transaxles use 80W90 gear lube, which will leak out a cut seal.

 

[blues124]

Yes, drive shaft = axle.
So how difficult would it be to try to replace those seals?

 

[Rivets]

That depends on how confident you feel your mechanical skills are. It is not that hard if you have a large work surface to lay the parts out while working on the unit. The manual I posted has very good instructions, but must be followed to the letter, no short cuts or I think I can get by. If you decide to tackle the job I would do the following.
1. Print out the section of the manual on the MST and read it over 3 times before starting.
2. Have all replacement parts and tools available and handy before starting.
3. Talk a buddy into spending an afternoon with you.
4. INTERNAL PARTS CAN BE VERY SHARP, HANDLE WITH CARE AND HAVE A COUPLE OF BANDAIDS HANDY.
5. As long as it is open I would replace the shift keys also.
6. Have some emery cloth available to remove any corrosion on shafts and axles.
7. Have a good supply of rags.
8. I would alot 5 hours to do the job, it takes me about 90 minutes, but I have done this more than once.
9. Before closing up the unit triple check everything and reread the procedure. KNOW WHERE THE DETENT BALL IS AND WHEN TO INSTALL.
10. Finally, go very slow and watch how things come apart. Flipping a gear or washer over or reversing a part will cause problems. Taking pictures when disassembling can help with reassembly.

Good luck with your decision.