Well, it made it 40 years(T3 content)

[acogoff]

     The old stock shifter return spring finally bit the dust today 25 miles from home. It did well. I debated if to keep driving as not to run the spring end through stuff or not. And having no one at home to come and haul my butt home I chanced it and made it home just fine. A bit of an art to driving with it not functioning though. If there was no chance of ruining anything, I would continue driving until fall, but that would be looking for trouble.  $$$$$$$$

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chances are it would just lay harmlessly in the bottom. "You feeling lucky, boy?" 

[guzzi4me]

Isn't that a warranty issue?? ?

Only 40 years?

Cheap Italian engineering!!

Glad you made it home safe....

Jeff

[John A]

some guys are just hard on equipment...

[acogoff]

     I am more worried about the new improved spring that I have had on hand for about 10 years. As everything is farmed out to you know where and their heat treat process on springs is marginal at best. As an example I have a 12 year old JD lawn mower where the belt tensioner spring for the belt to the  hydostatic broke after 1400 hours of use. Good service, i would say.  The new JD spring of the same part number and of questionable origin broke after 4 hours. Progress, I guess.

[Lannis]

     I am more worried about the new improved spring that I have had on hand for about 10 years. As everything is farmed out to you know where and their heat treat process on springs is marginal at best. As an example I have a 12 year old JD lawn mower where the belt tensioner spring for the belt to the  hydostatic broke after 1400 hours of use. Good service, i would say.  The new JD spring of the same part number and of questionable origin broke after 4 hours. Progress, I guess.

I'm keeping track.   The center blade spindle for my Husqvarna commercial mower went after 1000 hours, which I didn't think was very good - if I really were a commercial lawn mowing guy, that would be one season, or maybe two.

So I ordered another on line.   It was stamped "Tata CEI", which is located in the you know where that you mentioned.   It failed after 100 hours (it's a $100 part, so shouldn't be a wear issue).   Well, that's on me for ordering on-line rather than from the local dealer, so this time, I went to the local dealer and they ordered one and sold it to me and IT'S stamped "Tata CEI".    I told the dealer guy that if this one goofs after 100 hours, or even 500, he and I are going to have a talk, and he agrees .... So I'm keeping track.   

You're right to be worried about the provenance of the "replacement" spring.   Might be good to go ahead and get another from one of our guys on the list, or from one of their suppliers that they know to be good, just for that peace-of-mind thing ....

Lannis

[guzzisteve]

I just ordered 2 new spindles for the Ariens (same as a Husky) after 7yrs. No zert for greasing China bearings. New ones have a zert. Thought about rebuiding them, 1 good bearing, cost more than the whole assembly. As long as I can grease it it'll last.