a few questions: transmission, clutch, front axle

[eelderbr]

1. I just bought a cub and it's leaking transmission fluid. I think I need a new gasket. If I'm replacing the rear transmission gasket, should I also replace the pto gasket? Is there anything else to replace/look at while I'm doing it?

-Also, I can't find the "level" plug for the transmission. Anyone have a photo to point to it for me?

2. When I start the cub I hear a fairly loud clicking from the the clutch. When I push the clutch in the clicking goes away. Then starts again when I let off the clutch. Any thoughts?

3. I need to widen the front wheels but the front axle is rusted together. I've tried lots of things to get the axle loose, but no luck. Any clever way to do this that doesn't require a powerful torch?

Thanks so much for all the help.

Eric

[randallc]

The transmission level hole is a small plug on the left side (as you are setting on the cub) on the lower half of the transmission. If you have not drained the transmission it is probably full of water that condenses or gets in there if it is kept outside. Need to drain. Do not overfill. Find the level plug and use it. If it is leaking, I would change it.
The clicking is probably the bearing in the front of the transmission. If just slight noise you might pull the top of the transmission and find the hole in the front and the back of the transmission and be sure to clean those holes so the oil will drain down on the bearings.
Front axles? Haven't run into that yet, but PB Blaster, constant applications, and if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I use heat as last resort on most stuff. Others probably have a solution.

[Don McCombs]

You didn't tell us where it was leaking, but I suspect that the xmsn is overfilled, as Randall says. The level plug is the small, square-headed plug in the lower, center of this photo from TM Tractor Parts. After you drain and flush the transmission, refill with 3.5 PINTS of gear oil.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

#2 does the clicking change as soas you start to depress the clutch pedal? If so the clutch fingers are probably out of adjustment. If it does not change till the pedal is down and te shaft stops turning, probably the front tranny bearing as was mentioned earlier.

[Smokeycub]

3. I need to widen the front wheels but the front axle is rusted together. I've tried lots of things to get the axle loose, but no luck. Any clever way to do this that doesn't require a powerful torch?

Unfortunately there is no cut and dried answer here. They can be very difficult. Soaking with Blaster or equivalent may help but it will take time and repeated applications to do any good. If you feel you need to move it and all else fails you could try this: viewtopic.php?f=143&t=78908
Good luck with the "new" tractor- and welcome to the forum!

[twotone]

My front axle was stuck also, and I used the bottle jack method. I did it with the axle on the tractor and used 1 jack on the top. Took forever but it worked. I wire brushed the axle to bare metal, then primed it. I put some old stones on my cylinder hone and ran that in and out of the axle tube with light oil. I wrapped a rag around the hone and used it to clean the tube. I slobbered lots of anti-seize on the axle, inserted and slid right in. I've adjusted the axle several times since with no problem.

[Denny Clayton]

If all else fails you can turn the front wheels around to where they dish out and gain about 6 inches.