Toro Drive Axle

I have a Toro 21" walk mower model 20037 with a 2004 Serial range. When I took it apart, an internal retaining clip that holds the two internal thrust washers in place had already disiningrated. I have a new clip but in following the Toro Service manual, on page 104 it says to "place the retaining clip into the groove with the tab in the keyway to prevent it from rotating" That would be nice, but even with the thrust washers NOT installed I cannot press the assembly back far enough to even SEE the groove to insert the locking ring clip into its groove on the axle shaft. What am I not doing right here? (I used vise grips to press everything against the mower deck tightly) It was still not enough to see the groove to insert the clip.

 

Hard to guess why, it's just going to take some exploration to see what the problem is. There could be something wrapped up on the axle ont he other side or ???

 

Thanks Cheese,

I know that you would know if there was just something standard in this procedure I was missing. Now we move to "outside the box".

Have a great day!

 

Well, I got it lifted up and started poking around for a solution, and it was actually simpler than I thought. The reason I needed to take the thing apart in the first place was because the height adjuster was completely broken off. So I have the new one installed, and I move it down out of the way so the spring tension is off the assembly on the side of the unit I was repairing. So I go around to the other side and release the tension on THAT side by turning it counterclockwise to get it out of the way. That did it. It allowed the axle to protrude enough to put the retaining clip on easily. If anyone else has to do it, just remember to put both height adjusters facing forward and down, rather than back and down, or you will have to remove the discharge flap to get the adjusters into the upper slots where they belong. Do that before you put the darn retaining clips in!

 

Glad you got it figured out!