129 transmission is making loud grinding noises

[three4rd]

Originally Posted by athomas

No need to split the tractor on a 129 to change hydro unit, unbolt trans linkage, knock the roll pins out of the brake levers,put a pan under it remove filter and pick-up tube let it drain a while and pull the hydro out through the tunnel !easy peasy ! but first I'd undo the drive shaft coupling and turn the hydro by hand to verify that's where it's coming from . You can pull the hydro pump that way in about a half hour ,you'll lose some fluid but if the drain pan is clean run it through a paint strainer and reuse it if it's new !

I had the driveshaft completely off before when I replaced the motor - never had the pin out though at the pump. I replaced the flexible disc coupling too. Didn't take the pin(s) out of any brake linkages either - rather I found a place to disconnect them somewhere else (would have to refer back to my pictures) so as to avoid hammering out a pin. In other words....I cheat...... Nice to know separation would not be necessary. I don't know...have to think about all this. I'd be more than content to let someone else tackle it this time since I so swamped with other things. Problem is..I need that 129 to run NOW....getting tired of trying to keep a few areas mowed (not even on my property...another long and sort of bizarre story) with just a weedwacker. So I was so pleased to finally be ready to go.

I like the idea of a video first before proceeding further unless it can be confirmed by my descriptions so far that indeed the hydro needs to be replaced and/or repaired. Well...repaired is likely a bit beyond my current experience level...crap...it'd probably be on my work bench for another 3 months.

Frank...I should have added that the noise occurs with the wheels on or off the floor - tried it both ways. One time almost started without any noise. I really question what's going on right inside the hydro where the trunnion is. Can something have disconnected in there? I moved it manually and can see that the shaft is turning on the opposite side, for whatever that's worth.

Thomas...been turning it by hand several times already - both at the front pulley and also right at the disc coupling...can hear these clicking noises as it rotates slowly and can see the trunnion (shaft tron?) sort of jerking with the shaft rotation.

I noticed also that I can pull on that trunnion shaft - where it goes into the hydro - and it really seems to pull in and out freely. Were it not for the rest of the linkages holding it all together I actually wonder if it'd pull right out of the housing? Probably not I suppose.