Hydro-Gear Transmission, apart on table, see no evil
 

CC Super LT 1550. Purchased approx 2002. May have been manufactured earlier. Hydro-Gear model: 618-04270A. Cross ref# 317-0610. SN: 6073H30682 (Best guess:some worn away). Really abused pulling trailers, boats and cars. Won't go up small incline. Very low power. Loud groaning. This is my second trans rebuild. 1st one was 25 yrs ago chev 1500 4x4 automatic. There was very obvious wear on that one. Done right with alot of time and manual. Can't find a manual for this one, but is alot simpler inside. Very small trace of oil from right outer seal that held a little dust, not a significant leak. Full of oil. Dragged a magnet thru drained oil with no metal result. No metal build up on inside magnet but smudge of silver paste, and small smudge on bottom of case. I think that may be normal. Apart on table, everything out and disassembled, with no obvious wear. Gears all look the same, no sign of chips, or loose fit. The 10 bullets seem to fit closely into the 2 chambers. Filter apart with nothing, all clear. Examined every piece with no apparent wear. There is about 3-16" play moving axles left and right, toward and away from case before tear down. Question: since I have no experience, I'm wondering what I should be looking for. I'm hoping one of you guys are perhaps a CC dealer's mechanic, or the guy they send their trans-axles to, and knows just what to tell me.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but those are not worth rebuilding. Save your $$$ and go get a new one or a good Old Rebuildable Cub. Maybe you can sell the good parts off it.

You did good June bug, you got 17 years out of a 10 year max,
throwaway lawnmower.
Those things are not the old cub/John Deeres of the good ol'days, that
are still running and fixable.
A 700R4 or turbo 350 they ain't.
Now you know what they look like inside.
Parts it out or find another maybe needing an engine if you are bent on keeping it going.:bigthink:

thanks.I already know that and was expecting such answers. So why would I post if I already know? : You talk like you have money. Everyone else: Please keep the comments to yourself, thank you. Looking strictly for help/answers to my post, thank you.

Do a YouTube search for your tranny. I recall seeing a video of someone, who rectified the issue your having, but don't recall what the fix was.

rgfoote, I'll refer you to this thread started by another member.....

https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=54838