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On my new to me machine one side seemed a little odd. It also seems to squeak during heavy turning so per many peoples advice I thought I would try to adjust my transmission.
Turned out to be a pretty big job. If I had to do it again I would have ordered the tool from Richard but I really wanted to use the machine this week....
Taking the seat out was pretty easy, I was very happty the studs were welded in the floor so I didn't need to get a wrench under the seat bolts. That was pretty much the only thing that went easy for me.
Next I would take out the battery, seems easy right. Sure the - came off with a wing nut fine, and the + was so rusted, yesrust on it from what looks like a crappy terminal lug going to the starter somehow rusted so badly that kroil, pb and nothig else would move it. I have never seen such a little nut be such a pain. I actually had to use my air grinder to cut the bolt off, probably to 30 minutes total with fighting it.
Next I took of the springs once I realized you need to jam something in the eyelet so they don't spin. Went pretty fast.
Here is where it all starts to go bad, I pop off the clips on the laterals if thats the right word and I tried to follow the directions onhere as best I could using a ruler but the angle really stinks, so I am hanging into the machine the whole time and getting frustrated.
I couldn't even really figure out what I was trying t measure, I was trying freeplay, 5/16 something like that and I kept thinking that I reallly liked richardsdirection sheet but I ddidnt have the tool....
So after a little while I gave up trying to figure it out by handle length, measuring, etc and decided that I would need to make the tools today.
I grabbed my digital caliper and went to the hardware store looking for soething metal that was the right thickness. I everntually found a heavy duty shelf style bracket that is essentiall exactly the size that was posted here. I bought of them and when I got home I started cutting them freehand with a grinder. What a pain of a little project. One failed one and then I got two of them right. Probably took 1.5 hrs.
So much making this story short but things get worse. Oh I forgot to mention I made the thin wall socket early today and ground an old one down and that fit fine, very easy to do. I am surprised someone doesn't sell a little kit with all of these things.
Moving on, armed with my junk T20 adjusting tools I made, I follow RR's instructions, turn the bolts out 4-5 turns but wait I can't get them to turn. Somehow 2 of the bolts are able to slide that little clip they have under the bolt head off, but the other 2 is hung up on the threads. I really can't believe it, and I don't see corrosion but they arent budging easily. Eventually I hit them with a hammer and flat screwdriver right on their raised edge and FINALLY they each push back so I can turn the bolts out some.
I proceed to doing the adjustment, but one other problem is that I dont have a 1/4" in torque wrench. i ytake the chance and i use my tools and tighten them by hand trying to be even and go back and forth.
Then I have to find a new bolt for the + terminal that was ruined early.
I am VERY nervous since I am new to these but I knew the transmission didn't feel equal.
I turn the key and fire it up expecting the machine to dart forward. ANYWAYS, I finally throw it in in gear and away I go. IMMEDIATELY the machine feels completely different. I see what everyone means here when they said that. It feels MUCH smoother and MUCH more even to drive on BOTH sides which was the whole point of doing it.
I happily tidy everything up but I did hear that squeak as I pulled back in, so I think it might be a bearing, I will try to raise the machine and grease them again since i did it on the ground and the squeak sounds like it's outside not in the tranny.
I am sure many of you have had days like this but I am glad that I was able to stick with it and now I can use the machine tomorrow. I am burned out today.
Turned out to be a pretty big job. If I had to do it again I would have ordered the tool from Richard but I really wanted to use the machine this week....
Taking the seat out was pretty easy, I was very happty the studs were welded in the floor so I didn't need to get a wrench under the seat bolts. That was pretty much the only thing that went easy for me.
Next I would take out the battery, seems easy right. Sure the - came off with a wing nut fine, and the + was so rusted, yesrust on it from what looks like a crappy terminal lug going to the starter somehow rusted so badly that kroil, pb and nothig else would move it. I have never seen such a little nut be such a pain. I actually had to use my air grinder to cut the bolt off, probably to 30 minutes total with fighting it.
Next I took of the springs once I realized you need to jam something in the eyelet so they don't spin. Went pretty fast.
Here is where it all starts to go bad, I pop off the clips on the laterals if thats the right word and I tried to follow the directions onhere as best I could using a ruler but the angle really stinks, so I am hanging into the machine the whole time and getting frustrated.
I couldn't even really figure out what I was trying t measure, I was trying freeplay, 5/16 something like that and I kept thinking that I reallly liked richardsdirection sheet but I ddidnt have the tool....
So after a little while I gave up trying to figure it out by handle length, measuring, etc and decided that I would need to make the tools today.
I grabbed my digital caliper and went to the hardware store looking for soething metal that was the right thickness. I everntually found a heavy duty shelf style bracket that is essentiall exactly the size that was posted here. I bought of them and when I got home I started cutting them freehand with a grinder. What a pain of a little project. One failed one and then I got two of them right. Probably took 1.5 hrs.
So much making this story short but things get worse. Oh I forgot to mention I made the thin wall socket early today and ground an old one down and that fit fine, very easy to do. I am surprised someone doesn't sell a little kit with all of these things.
Moving on, armed with my junk T20 adjusting tools I made, I follow RR's instructions, turn the bolts out 4-5 turns but wait I can't get them to turn. Somehow 2 of the bolts are able to slide that little clip they have under the bolt head off, but the other 2 is hung up on the threads. I really can't believe it, and I don't see corrosion but they arent budging easily. Eventually I hit them with a hammer and flat screwdriver right on their raised edge and FINALLY they each push back so I can turn the bolts out some.
I proceed to doing the adjustment, but one other problem is that I dont have a 1/4" in torque wrench. i ytake the chance and i use my tools and tighten them by hand trying to be even and go back and forth.
Then I have to find a new bolt for the + terminal that was ruined early.
I am VERY nervous since I am new to these but I knew the transmission didn't feel equal.
I turn the key and fire it up expecting the machine to dart forward. ANYWAYS, I finally throw it in in gear and away I go. IMMEDIATELY the machine feels completely different. I see what everyone means here when they said that. It feels MUCH smoother and MUCH more even to drive on BOTH sides which was the whole point of doing it.
I happily tidy everything up but I did hear that squeak as I pulled back in, so I think it might be a bearing, I will try to raise the machine and grease them again since i did it on the ground and the squeak sounds like it's outside not in the tranny.
I am sure many of you have had days like this but I am glad that I was able to stick with it and now I can use the machine tomorrow. I am burned out today.
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