[crncrk]

Hello,
I am a new member, and this is my first post. I have looked at this forum in the past, and like it.
We've owned a 2185 for years, and recently purchased a used GT2521 in non running condition with 385 hours. For the low hours, the neglect and damage surprised me. It had been sitting outside, uncovered for at least a year.
To get it running, my son and I cleaned out the old fuel (ethanol) from the tank, fuel lines, pump, filter and carb, changed plugs, air filter, engine oil and filter, serviced hydro, repaired all bent and damaged deck linkage, lubed hydro linkage, greased deck bearings and sharpened blades. It runs and mows beautifully with the 48" full floating deck. We have put 15 hours of mowing on it so far.
While mowing last night, we noticed a noise I'll describe as a scrubbing sound coming from the rear axle area. Lifting the rear end up, we found that each rear axle has 3/8" -1/2" of end play. The axles both slide in and out of the cast iron diff housing. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it a cause for concern? Thanks.