Troy-bilt Horse sloppy axle

fpappal · Mar 27, 2019

I have a 1973 Troy-bilt Horse. The drive axle has quite a bit of slop that I never noticed before. If you hold onto the handle and move them to the left or right, the wheels obviously stay stationary, but the axle moves in and out about a 1/4 inch. Shouldn't that axle be pretty tight with minimal movement? I have the owners manual which is fairly detailed but it does not mention anything about this slop. Any ideas as to what may be worn out? It does drip a little oil from the axle seals, but not as much as I would expect from this much slop. This machine owes me nothing, and I am not surprised that something may be worn out. Truly an amazing machine.

T.R.K. · Mar 28, 2019

You know, if it was me, I would just put a 1" shaft collar or perhaps a few big washers on one side to take out all the end play and not worry about it. Just top off the oil every once in a while. The worm gear back at the tines was well over $100 last time I checked.

Mule Meat · Mar 29, 2019

Between the tapered bearing (axle bearing) and the retaining ring for the spacer you should find a 0.062" thick shim. I know the shim is 1" ID not sure about the OD.

You can add extra shims. But you must add the same number to each side in order to keep the worm gears aligned.

I do not reccomend putting spacers on the out side btween the seal and rim. For they will rub against and cause damage to the seals in a very quickly.

Mule Meat · Mar 29, 2019

The shims are.
Part # Troy-Bilt 736-04187

Got the size mixed up. They are..

1.0 (OD) X .7656 (ID) X .062 (thickness)

fpappal · Mar 29, 2019

Thank you for the information. I am trying to understand where these shims go. After I remove the tire I will be looking at the oil seal. If I remove the oil seal I will be looking at the axle bearing. Where exactly is this spacer and the shims? I have replaced oil seals on this machine but it was a long time ago, I do not remember all the parts on the axle.

fpappal · Mar 29, 2019

I just looked at the owners manual. I see where it mentions the shims. I don't see how those shims will take up any slop, won't they just prevent the oil seal from going in as far? It seems like the axle will still slide in an out just as much as it is now.

Dave S. · Mar 31, 2019

Do not know if the horse is the same as a pony. On the pony the seal goes in first (flush or a little past) then a larger washer with a 1 1/64 inch ID and outside large enough to rub on casting and not the seal. Next shim each side equally to take up slack with smaller OD shims. Then there is a grove on both sides of the axle for a snap ring to to hold the shims and stop the axle from sliding.

Mule Meat · Apr 2, 2019

(quoted from post at 17:26:13 03/29/19) I just looked at the owners manual. I see where it mentions the shims. I don't see how those shims will take up any slop, won't they just prevent the oil seal from going in as far? It seems like the axle will still slide in an out just as much as it is now.

From the inside out

Spacer
Shims
Snap ring
Seal

The shims are held in by a snap ring. The snap ring keeps the axle from sliding.

1 = Seal
2 = Snap ring
3 = Shim
4 = Bushing

fpappal · Apr 2, 2019

Thanks for the schematic. I bet one of my snap rings broke. I will check that this weekend. Too bad I have to destroy an oil seal to find out.

Mule Meat · Apr 2, 2019

(quoted from post at 11:40:29 04/02/19) Thanks for the schematic. I bet one of my snap rings broke. I will check that this weekend. Too bad I have to destroy an oil seal to find out.

If the snap ring broke. It would be worth a seal to repair. For if the axle slid much. The Sprag gear (#9) could slide on the shaft far enough that the Key (#6) could fall out and have you tearing it completly apart to repair.

If it were mine. I would go ahead and get some extra shims, snap rings and new seals and put all new back in.

fpappal · Apr 2, 2019

I am going to do that. Thanks for all
the help.

wfw · Apr 5, 2019

You can still get parts for these tillers. Mine has a ring wore on the tine shaft from the seal and I need a new shaft, which will cost around $70 last time I looked. These rototillers are well worth repairing and continuing using. Mine had a bad engine when I got it, which I replaced.

Troy-bilt Horse sloppy axle

fpappal

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