Specifications

Hard Shifting Transaxles and Drive Belts

Often hard shifting is blamed on an internal problem in the transaxle.

To determine if the problem is transaxle or equipment related make these simple checks.

1. Turn the unit off so that all power is removed to the transaxle

2. With the unit off move the shift lever through the shift gate. Movement of the lever should have only

slight resistance. The shifting effort should be equal when the engine is off and when running. If

the unit is difficult to shift the problem would be internal and the transaxle would need to be removed

and repaired

3. If the unit shifts with ease, check the following areas that would be equipment related. Check to

see if the belt is releasing from the pulley on the engine and transmission / transaxle, it may require

that the belt guides be repositioned. The distance required from the pulley to the guide is typically

1/16" to 3/16" (1.6 mm - 4.8 mm), always check the O.E.M. specs.

4. Check to see if the pulley is damaged and may not be releasing the belt.

5. Make sure that the belt is the correct belt in case the customer has replaced it with a non original,

possibly more aggressive belt.

6. Check the brake/clutch pedal to make sure that when the pedal is depressed that the idler pulley

is releasing the belt tension before it applies the brake. If this does not happen the unit will still be

under a load and be impossible to shift

7. The final area to check would be for damaged or binding shift linkage.

Hard shifting with the engine off could be caused by:

1. Shift linkage out of adjustment.

2. Corrosion in the transaxle or transmission.

3. Damaged shift keys, gears, or shifter brake shaft.

4. Belt guides missing or improperly adjusted (see equipment manufacturer specs.)

For proper declutching to occur, it is very important

that the engine belt guide be set at a

predetermined gap (set by the manufacturer)

and away from the belt with the belt engaged.

With clutch disengaged, it is very important that

the belt blossoms away from the engine pulley.

Belt must stop turning before transaxle shifting

can occur.

1/16" to 3/16"

(1.6 mm - 4.8 mm)

THIS DIMENSION

VARIES FROM EACH

MANUFACTURER