Craftsman Garden Tractor

dpendzic · Jun 12, 2014

just bought a 2008 54 inch 26 hp tractor-917.287461
It would not turn over but starter spun--owner said he had starter replaced last year.
pulled starter and the shaft broke between the bendix and the armature--teeth look good on both bendix and ring gear--its a Kohler engine-sv735s
Has anyone come across this before?
Thanks

Anonymous-0 · Jun 12, 2014

The starter drive on that particular starter is not a Bendix; I think I know what you are referring to.
Sounds like someone engaged the starter while engine was running.

dpendzic · Jun 12, 2014

yes--it is a drive gear on a screw thread that advances by centrifugal force--and the gear is jammed at the end of its travel upward

jeffcat · Jun 12, 2014

Also the starters are made in Mexico. The one on my Kohler would work but it sounded tired all of the time. These are the permament magnet type. Well one day I thought it would be fun to pull it apart and see what was wrong. Mark the caps and body so you put them back in propper alingment. Knock out the pin and remove the drive gear and spring. Take out the bolts and remove the end cap under that gear from the body of the starter shell. Remover the shell while you hold down the armature as you take off the shell. Now you can remove the amature. Guess what I find???? These have FOUR brushae so you get lots of power. I only had half of a starter. One of the springs to push on the bruses was missing from the factory. Got a spring out of the junk box and NOW the starter works just dandy.

D beatty · Jun 13, 2014

I had to replace a starter on my Craftsman garden tractor ( 25 HP Pro Kohler) last spring ( starter gear would not return when engine was started}. I priced out having it rebuilt and it was about as much as buying new one.

dpendzic · Jun 13, 2014

caltrac starters on ebay are about $80--after researching this problem it appears that some of the aftermarket starters are machined incorrectly and the gears jamb--a few guys have placed shims when mounting the starter to gap the teeth further apart

D beatty · Jun 13, 2014

I needed the tractor and did not want to wait( mowing season). Sears and local independent dealer didn't have it in stock and were talking over a week. I took it to a John Deere dealer and he had one in stock. We measured every thing to make sure every thing matched up ( the replacement he sold me looks a little differant than original but worked). I stay away from electrical stuff on Ebay !

ACSam · Jun 14, 2014

I have seen this happen. You may try taking it apart and cleaning it. The one I saw was dirty inside with worn brush material. To the point it made everything kinda gritty and stiff to move. It bought some time, but had to replace it later.

T.R.K. · Jun 14, 2014

I am not understanding what you are saying? Is the shaft on the current starter broken or is the gear just stuck in the flywheel, as it sounds in your post below?

dpendzic · Jun 14, 2014

Sorry if i was unclear--Not only was the shaft snapped off but the starter gear was at the end of its travel on the broken off piece--and it won't budge.
I am assuming that the starter gear jammed and when the engine started it snapped the shaft?

Craftsman Garden Tractor

dpendzic

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Anonymous-0

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dpendzic

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jeffcat

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D beatty

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ACSam

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T.R.K.

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