Transaxle Problem

[bob]

I have a Dana 5 speed transaxle on a Murray lawn tractor. Hard to shift while running especially from from first and back to reverse. If it is just sitting and not running then there is no problem shifting and is very smooth. Do not want to tear into transaxle if that is not where the problem is. When clutch is engaged belt goes slack. I can see a wobble on transaxle pulley. Any other ideas of what to look for. Thanks

[bgsengine]

even if belt is not moving, engine running can put some mild tension on the belt , which in turn tensions the input pulley - To test you'd want to set transmission in NEUTRAL, then start engine and clutch engaged, see if you can shift - if gears start grinding (or it goes in gear and "jumps" a little) then you know you got a belt tension issue. Typically worn belt, worn pulleys or idlers, mis-alignment of belt, idler arm or idler, belt guides bent out of place (As a pro tech, those were the biggest PITA when someone else changed the belt but was too damn lazy to do it right, and just bent the belt guides out to squeeze the belt on!)

[KE4AVB]

And just because someone sold a supposedly OEM spec after market belt doesn't mean it is spec'd.

As for the transaxle pulley wobble it can be either a worn pulley to shaft or a needle bearing problem. And even a slightly bent engine pulley v groove can cause this issue.

[bob]

Did what you suggested. Clutch in started engine,shifted[ through gears and no problem. Left in 4fh and let clutch out and it does jump. Now this when the problem begins. I try and shift into gears now and very difficult. Do you think it could be just the belt or what about input shaft to transaxle

[hanz63]

I've had a few of these w/ worn input shafts and real wobbly input pulleys as well. In my mind a harsh launch can be caused by a brake that is tight or a belt that is tad short or grabby so that it can't ease in. Murray belt? they're usually covered.

[bgsengine]

Hanz hit on another possible cause for the hard shifting - Sticking brake - put tractor in neutral and see how easy it is to push and ilsten for rubbing down near the (usually) right side of transmission - brake actuator pins are notorious for rusting or corroding and then when brake pads wear in a bit and brake applied the pins like to stick , keeping brake pads engaged enough to make it real hard to move the machine (and you'd hear the gears clash as you rock back and forth in neutral)

And your later description also kind of points at that "bent pulley" - if it shifted fine at one point and then shifted hard at another, a bent pulley or input shaft (perhaps some idiot pried on the pulley and bent it while trying to change belt.. or a heavy stick popped up while joyriding tractor around and hit pulley.. or some such) as pulley wobbles "forward" belt loosens, as it wobbles "back" belt tightens, but then you'd notice the clutch pedal shaking horribly as the tractor is driven along as belt tensions and loosens on each revolution of the input pulley. (clutch pedals are great for diagnosing drive system problems, if you know what to be aware of!)

[bob]

Brake was definately to tight. Loosen up and cleaned and that definately stopped the lunging. Shifting is better also but still hard shifting at times. Going to have a look at pulleys and input shaft