184 Issues - new owner

[hoythunter25]

Hi guys,

I am the proud new owner of a 184. I picked this up recently and I need to replace/repair the throw out bearing carrier. I have read through some posts online but any advice before I tackle the project? I also would love some help identifying which mower deck I have. There are a couple other little issues I would like to take care of like the key doesn't seem to turn the tractor off (I have to idle it down) and the brake pedal seems to catch on the sheet metal where your foot goes. Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.

[Eugene]

Welcome. One more post and you can access the free downloadable manuals, "Quick Links" upper left on page.

First bit of advise, obtain and read the Owners Manual, 2nd the service manual and parts manual.

Mower deck, post a photo.

Key issue, could just be the ignition switch or perhaps a wiring problem.

Brake pedal, I don't know. Check out the pedal linkage.

[hoythunter25]

So I got the throw out bearing and carrier out tonight. Should I weld it or just replace? I have tried to post pictures but no matter if I try to resize or not it says the file is too large, am I doing something wrong? Also tojight while hoisting up the front end I joticed the front tires are very loose even though they seemed to be tightened down, do I need a new bearing or am I missing an adjustment or part?

[outdoors4evr]

If the carrier is worn, I'd replace it. Well, that is what I did. Most of the time you can weld up the forks and grind them back into shape.
Describe the "loose" front tires. Does this mean there is a lot of slop in the steering or can the tires move laterally (left to right) on the spindles?

[Eugene]

Click on Hamiltonbobs, bottom of page.

Hamiltonbobs is an outstand resource for numbered Cubs parts.

[hoythunter25]

Anyone have any ideas on how to get the pictures to work? The loose tires are you can move the whole tire/wheel up and down left and right on the spindle.

[Eugene]

Up and down should be a no, probably wheel bearings. Side to side is common, wear in the steering links and steering sector.

You need the parts manual. That way as you are wobbling the wheel you can see what you need for parts or what to repair.

[outdoors4evr]

Resize your picture and attach it to your post. There is a tab below the submit button labeled attachments.
Once the file is chosen, there is a button to Place inline that puts the photo right into your post.

[outdoors4evr]

As for the wheels, need to check the spindles for wear. Remove the front tire, then remove the cotter pin and castle nut on the spindle. Check the bearings and the spindles for wear. It may be just a loose castle nut (should be just barely snug, but not tight) but you have to tear it apart to check for wear first. Worn parts or seized bearings need to be repaired or replaced.

[hoythunter25]

UPDATE: I ended up buying a new bearing and carrier from Hamilton Bobs and welding/grinding the fork. After putting that back together the throw out bearing carrier was still spinning out of the fork. What I ended up doing was drilling a hole through the fork slightly below the carrier and installing a #10 x 3" machine screw, that has seemed to solve the problem.

I also bought new wheel bearings but after installing they were still pretty sloppy so I took the spindles off and put some weld multiple places where the bearings ride and ground down so it was a tight fit.

[outdoors4evr]

The shift fork is supposed to keep the carrier from spinning. Over time, your forks have widened. A little hammer work can bend them back into shape (parallel) so that your carrier will stay put.

[hoythunter25]

Over time the forks have weakened. When I put it back together with the new carrier I hammered and used a vise to make them nice and straight and parallel, and it still spun out. That is when I added the bolt.

[outdoors4evr]

Those forks are a lot of steel. There should not be a lot of torque trying to spin the carrier. Is your carrier somehow tight on the driveshaft? Mine doesn't have much slop, but moves forward and aft and around with a light touch.
Need a picture of your carrier showing the wear.