Transaxle leaking on Murray

[redrider90]

Went to tighten the brakes on the Murray 1997 40" wide body and saw that I have a leak on the transaxle. It looks fairly fresh but I have no clue how much fluid I have lost out of the 5 speed tranny. Looking for parts and diagrams about the peerless. It looks like it is coming out right at the brake. I assume there is a seal behind the brake and that's where it is coming from. I'd like to get through the season before taking it apart. Any thoughts about how much danger there is. Do I need to pull it and check gear fluid to see how bad it is. I hate to ruin a good running transaxle over a bad seal just because I have only 2 or 3 more cuttings left this year. I just did the grass and it will not need it again until After mid Sept esp as dry as it is.
Anyhow  I am still looking for a parts place for transaxles as well as a diagram. I have never been into something like this so it a new one one me.

 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Like the sign said at the local mower shop:

"We don't have a crystal ball, so it would be much appreciated if you would bring us the model number of the machine you want parts for." 

Once you have that, go here: http://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/manufacturer/murray/1997-models/lawn-garden/riders/lawn-tractors/40-cut

[redrider90]

Like the sign said at the local mower shop:

"We don't have a crystal ball, so it would be much appreciated if you would bring us the model number of the machine you want parts for." 

Once you have that, go here: http://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/manufacturer/murray/1997-models/lawn-garden/riders/lawn-tractors/40-cut

I should have added that I had already been to Jack's  and plugged in my model and there is nothing available reference the transaxle either parts or diagram. Says it is N/A.  I started looking elsewhere and coming up with dead ends. So I wrote a truncated message but I was not expecting a crystal ball. Just left a little information out of my post.

[Two Checks]

Parts NLA. Typical on Murray/MTD/Yard machine mowers.
A friendgets a lot of riders from people who bring him a unit to repair only to find the partsare NLA.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Damn, we have more problems with mowers than Guzzis! My left turning mower lost drive completely, then after a repair attempt turned right, and now after my latest repair pulls straight again. Trying to get through the rest of this mowing season too, and looking to upgrade to a diesel powered compact tractor with mower, etc..

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I was in the lawn & garden equipment repair business for a short time and decided it wasn't worth it. Most of it's not meant to be repaired, just thrown away. The average "Harry Homeowner" won't spend much to fix it even if it is still a viable piece of equipment.

I own the "old stuff" that is built tough to last virtually forever (Gravely tractors and 2-stroke Lawn-Boys).

This company still sends me a catalog on occasion:
http://www.smallenginedistributors.net/transaxles.html
Perhaps they have a transaxle and you can find a dealer willing to order for you. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Mike Tashjian]

I have had a few of the trans axles apart and they have all had grease in them, no liquid lubricant.  I just added an approximate amount of what I thought I lost opening them up.  I think they had some silicone sealer along the mating surfaces with bushing where the shafts exited. Low speed and low tech.  If you think you have lost a lot, I would open it up on the off season and give it a look.  Mike

[redrider90]

Well I spent an hour with a rep on Jack's and they offer a few part for transaxles but you gotta have the part number. There search engine does not come up with the part number for any transaxles. But you plug in the part number (found on the internet) and then up it pops and says "seal for peerless transmission. But does tell you want tranny its for. Go figure.
Later I found this site (see below)  which has many of Peerless transaxles including schematics, instructions and parts numbers and even trouble shooting. I could not believe it. I called a local chain saw, lawn mower place which has been around since the 50's and the guy gave me good news and bad news. Good news is he can get the seal, bad news is I have to break the case open to install it.  But then on youtube I found plenty of guys who have put up videos on how to modify  transaxles to have positraction. I even got to see the breakdown of the exact unit I have. Grease filled units are considered cheaper low end units and units filled with gear lube is considered are the better built units. At least with Peerless brands.
But here is a link to all sorts of Peerless transaxles
http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Tecumseh-Peerless_Motion_Drive_System_-_Transmissions_&_Differentials(691218).pdf