126. Disassembling the differential on a Snapper rear engine rider 

Re gear lube, like most other products, there are various options. If you're not comfortable with the usual 80-90 weight lube, there are " heavier" ( more viscus) lubes you can use without going full out gear grease. You might try the 145 type. Jim's videos caused me concern. So I overfilled my differential and gear case with 90 weight lube and ran around the yard a few times to get it all warm and mixed up with the original lube. I then let them each drain to the proper level. There was plenty of " glitter", to be sure. But I feel better knowing that I cleaned them out a bit, and there's a free flowing lube in there.

Don Stanford Well zero turns are nice but they don’t pick up leaves and sticks like a snapper high vac does. Jim

What is the model number of your machine?. Jim

331520KVE(84585) it’s one of those that has the large boot that B&S has discontinued, and it was not installed correctly from the getgo, so lubricant leaked out a lot.

One of my viewers welded his and then you have to grind it down so it’s flush or things will rub and you have to be careful Welding it so the heat doesn’t distort it or that will make it Rob. Jim

Have you tried looking for a used one?. Jim

@@jimjackson9381 I actually have a machine that I bought for parts. I will just have to wade through the grease and caked on dirt to find out if it’s any good. Being retired, my time isn’t worth what it used to be, but if the one off my parts tractor is bad as well, it’s probably better to just buy a new one than spend a lot of time welding and grinding. Except for the challenge….

Well some machines are a little different on the parts I would suggest going to Parts Tree.Com with your model number and you can find the exact parts you need from them. Jim

@@jimjackson9381 thank you.

lorraine kaminski Is the fender OK as far as the axle didn’t wear completely through the bushing and start wearing into the fender and believe me I’ve seen it into the fender a half an inch deep, if your fender looks OK a new bushing should press in and be tight. I can’t say for sure because I don’t have it in front of me I have bushings on hand that I can try to make sure they fit but I would have to say typically you should be OK. Jim

Have you watched video number 70 yet and tighten your yoke spring. Jim

PhoenixKing F Hi this is Jim, all gears should have a flat top on them, if they have a knife edge the gear is wore out. Is it worth upgrading from 4 to 8 pinion gears that all depends on the condition of the machine and how hard you're going to be using it in your yard, For the most part the standard gear and four pinion gears should be adequate for most all yards if you're going to be using this every day in a business then I think I would upgrade it. Hope this helps if not let me know thanks Jim

Jim Jackson. Thx Jim, the mower is for residential use only. With the differential off today and cleaned up, the bull gear has almost knife edges but they are also worn unevenly across the top. Planetary gears and spindle gear all look good with flat even tops. Don't know how the bull gear wore out that way with no other evidence. The axle spindle is all sharp knife edges so unfortunately those are expensive repairs. With the LH bearing, gear, axle, maybe short axel and misc. parts I'm in for over $300. Is it still worth repairing or put it all back and run to failure. Didn't really notice it running poorly before, I just wanted to repair the clutch and boots. Lol. Anyway, couldn't have done this without your videos and help. Thx a bunch.

PhoenixKing F Hi it's Jim well I guess it depends on if you need it or if you have one. And what shape it's in. It's always good for parts. Thanks Jim. oh send me a picture of you and your snapper if you haven't yet.

I would just replace the worn out parts which is probably just the large 63 tooth differential gear, you can get all the stuff you need from Parts Tree.Com. out of Texas. Jim

@@jimjackson9381 Thank You Jim, again great job in making these video's I think I have watched just about all the ones you made on Snapper repair. They definitely helped me in doing this repair.

@@michaellekas9719 I’m glad I could help. Jim

boat6868 About in the middle of the differential cover there is a bolt and nut that goes through the entire assembly in the fender you have to remove that nut from the outside of the fender to get the cover off, if you have remove that nut then use two putty knife’s about an inch wide to separate the cover in the fender don’t use a screwdriver and pry in one place you can Distort the cover and it won’t reseal let me know how it works out. Jim

@@jimjackson9381 Thanks for the tip on the putty knifes. I have removed the bolt you first spoke of...so I think it will just take brute force with the putty knives. I am not sure what the gasket is made of but it does not look like cork. This thing has fought me all the way...and of course I do not have a nice shop like you do to work in...but thanks to your videos I think I'll have a shot at figuring out what is wrong if i can get this cover off. The mower has excessive sideplay (which I now know from your videos is a very bad thing). Thanks again.

@@jimjackson9381 Got it apart with a putty knife. It was a cork gasket. My main gear 7021158YP Gear, 63T 10P has a knifes edge (and looks shallow as well) and two of the teeth have broken off. Frankly, I am amazed that it worked as long as it did based on how worn it is. The front end steering needs rebuilt as well...I will need to re-watch your video on that subject. Thanks.

boat6868 That’s typically the part where’s first when you put it back together don’t forget to replace the two O-rings. Jim

Did you check the bolts that go through your wheel flange and axle to make sure they are not broken. Jim

OK I’m not sure what is stuck on your axle is that your real flanges is it to your chain case send me some pictures to jimsfixitshop@gmail.com Thanks. Jim

@@jimjackson9381 The driver side wheel flange is fused to the axle, I believe if I could get it off that everything would slide off the axle. I removed the entire assembly from the mower, I'll get you pictures, thanks.

@@jimjackson9381 Okay, I sent them.