Riding mower repair help needed

[Black94lt1]

Hey Red or others who may know the answer, I am lost on this one. I was mowing the yard tonight, 12 year old troybilt (MTD) and all of the sudden I had no forward motion, or reverse for that fact. Belts are all newer, so I looked under the frame and spot this spring hanging.

From what I can deduce, it is item #28, the extension spring, that is broke. It could be #31 too. I guess I won't know until I drop the deck and give it a better look.

Local store has the spring(s), so I'm off to get one of each in the morning, but I have no idea where the one end hooks to. I'm guessing the frame somewhere, but the diagrams are less that clear. The one end seems to hook to the idler pulley, but I have no idea about the other one.

[JRD77VET]

Looks like a 1/2" diameter spring by "guessimating" by the tape.

Take a 1/2" open end wrench and see if it just slides in. If not, use a 5/8"

[RED-85-Z51]

EDIT: I see now you have one of these oddball setups...

Its most likely going to be the rear spring, it applies tension to the rear belt all the time.,,if it goes slack..you no longer move.

[Black94lt1]

EDIT: I see now you have one of these oddball setups...

Its most likely going to be the rear spring, it applies tension to the rear belt all the time.,,if it goes slack..you no longer move.

Ok, that seems to match up based on size, but what does it connect to?

[Black94lt1]

Looks like a 1/2" diameter spring by "guessimating" by the tape.

Take a 1/2" open end wrench and see if it just slides in. If not, use a 5/8"

Closer to 5/8 so it must be the #31

[RED-85-Z51]

Its probably going to be the #28....not 31

[RED-85-Z51]

#31
Amazon.com : MTD Part 732-0963 SPRING-EXTENSION : Lawn Mower Parts : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31AzUpBWU2L.@@AMEPARAM@@31AzUpBWU2L

#28
MTD Riding Lawn Mower Extension Spring Replacement Spring 932 0384 732 0384 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTD-Riding-Lawn-Mower-Extension-Spring-Replacement-Spring-932-0384-732-0384-/361099608363)

[RED-85-Z51]

Its going to hook to Idler Bracket #50 and hook to an acnhor point forward on the frame...

[Black94lt1]

Its going to hook to Idler Bracket #50 and hook to an acnhor point forward on the frame...

Thanks that helps, I was thinking it needed to go towards the rear, forward makes a lot more sense.

[Dave]

You can always just use a propane torch, heat & bend the last coil out to match the hook it used to have. Cool, then bake in the over at 400 for 30 minutes or so to temper it.

[Black94lt1]

You can always just use a propane torch, heat & bend the last coil out to match the hook it used to have. Cool, then bake in the over at 400 for 30 minutes or so to temper it.

Thought about that, but was in a pinch to get the yard mowed before leaving town, ended up push mowing about a 1/2 acre after it broke. Waiting for the parts store to open now, springs are in stock :). I'll fix it Sunday when I get home