How do I take this tiller apart to grease the bearings?

I've got an old 5HP Montgomery Wards tiller (from the early 80s, probably), and I cannot figure out how to get into the bearings.



You take the two bolts out and remove the little wire mesh screen, but then there's this weird thing behind the shaft that the bearings must be in that I want to lubricate (it has a small rubber gasket right on the shaft, I think it's the starter recoil bearings, or something of that nature).

Like, once I take the screen off of that, can you just pull the end of the shaft off to get to the bearings? Or do I need to use a chisel to pry the two halves of the thing apart from the top? Or do I need a special tool to take it apart and put it back together?

If I'm not being clear enough, I'll go out and take it back apart and take some more pictures of what I'm talking about.

Just so you know, those are only the pull rope starter bearings, not the engine bearings. I'm not sure if you were talking about the mains. Anyway, those are usually not greased (in the picture), although you can squirt a bit of oil in there...Are they noisy?

Behind the ratchet there are little ball bearings you never want to lube them. That pocket must be clean and dry. If you want you oil the inside of the ratchet with some ATF through the center where you see that little dot.

And to clarify further, you do not grease the main bearings, they are lubed by oil from inside the engine....or did I misunderstand this whole thread??? (BTDT....)

If it's the recoil bearings you are after, as in it squeals like crazy after you start it, this is what you do.
The recoil assembly is simply threaded on to the crank shaft. Get something to hold the flywheel (there is a special tool but you can use a piece of wood or if you are careful a big screwdriver) and un-thread it. Then you can dis-assemble it, clean the balls and lubricate it and throw it all back together.

I am assuming that this is your problem, either squealing when it runs or not engaging when you pull the rope. Both very common in the B&S engines and a very simple fix.

I usually use a wood block and hammer to get it loose. it is right hand thread. i smear a little grease on the shaft and screw it back on.keep the ballbearings dry as they need to be able to roll back once the engine starts. they only engage some cogs to turn the flywheel.

If ya feel the need to lube it at all the little hole in the end will let ya drop a couple drops of oil in there so It will turn easier on shaft.

little machine oil and turn backwards to free it up should be sufficiant .

Ball bearings under that should be fairly dry as they need to be free to roll out of the way after starting .

I have a flywheel holder and a wrench that grips the ears on the rewind clutch.The pockets wear and no amount of cleaning will fix the clutch.These clutches are usually replaced when they start slipping.

The B&S part number for the starter clutch is 399671. Any small engine repair shop will have them.If it's squealling or slipping when pulling rope replace it.

The ball chamber must stay clean and dry. After a good cleaning(I use brake cleaner spray), I coat everything with liquid silicone and let it dry, then reassemble.

I've never had to replace one, generally a good cleaning will do it. Well maybe that's just my tiller which only gets started twice a year!

(quoted from post at 23:37:27 07/07/10) If it's the recoil bearings you are after, as in it squeals like crazy after you start it, this is what you do.
The recoil assembly is simply threaded on to the crank shaft. Get something to hold the flywheel (there is a special tool but you can use a piece of wood or if you are careful a big screwdriver) and un-thread it. Then you can dis-assemble it, clean the balls and lubricate it and throw it all back together.

I am assuming that this is your problem, either squealing when it runs or not engaging when you pull the rope. Both very common in the B&S engines and a very simple fix.

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This would pretty much be my problem to the T. It squeals for about 15-20 seconds after starting it...

(quoted from post at 09:32:18 07/08/10) The B&S part number for the starter clutch is 399671. Any small engine repair shop will have them.If it's squealling or slipping when pulling rope replace it.

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This is also a possible route to go.

(quoted from post at 22:58:33 07/07/10) Behind the ratchet there are little ball bearings you never want to lube them. That pocket must be clean and dry. If you want you oil the inside of the ratchet with some ATF through the center where you see that little dot.

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Also, this.

Thank you for the feedback all; I'll be tinkering with it this weekend and we'll see how I fare.

Excellent; problem solved!

I sprayed about five solid seconds worth of WD-40 into the little hole in the end of the shaft and gave the thing a spin and it was almost instantly broken free. Started up and ran just great (after I poured gas directly in the carb to fire it off, of course).