Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Old Ariens shifter sticking

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grump

Joined: Jan 14, 2008
Points: 58

Old Ariens shifter sticking
Original Message Feb 18, 2013 8:50 am

Old 7HP Ariens shifter always goes from N into R just fine, and will always go into forward speed 1 but sometimes has a lot of resistance or gets stuck before going to 2, 3 and 4. Once it's in the faster speed settings it advances and retreats just fine - it's like there's a bump in the road shifting sometimes and only upwards between speeds 1 and 2.

The hexagonal shaft with the rubber wheel is lubed, the joints on the shift rod wiggle just fine, the shifter handle slides on it's housing just fine; what could be causing it to bind?

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carlb

Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: Old Ariens shifter sticking
Reply #1 Feb 18, 2013 9:17 am

I would clean he hex shaft with brake clean or some other solvent to remove all of the old lubricant. I normally use only a very light coating of 0-30 synthetic motor oil on the hex shaft. The lighter the oil the better in my opinion.

I had a snapper that i used white lithium on and it worked fine when i put it together in the summer but got very stiff as soon as it got cold. From that point on I made sure to clean the shaft of all grease and dirt and only lubricate with a very light oil. Since i use a lot of 0-30 and 5-30 snythetic oil that is what i used and it has worked fine for me YMMV.

Carl

grump

Joined: Jan 14, 2008
Points: 58

Re: Old Ariens shifter sticking
Reply #2 Feb 18, 2013 3:00 pm

The shaft has the same synthetic oil on it as used in the engine, I think it was 5w-20, smeared on with a paper towel.

carlb

Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: Old Ariens shifter sticking
Reply #3 Feb 18, 2013 5:22 pm

Other than looking for where it is binding idon't have any other ideas at this time.

Carl

jrtrebor

Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: Old Ariens shifter sticking
Reply #4 Feb 18, 2013 8:25 pm

Some times the old linkages and pivot points can develop spots where things hang up just a little.
I would try disconnecting things one joint a time.
A good place to sometimes start is where the shift rod comes down from the handle.
Disconnect the rod and see how things move. Just keep working your way in towards the
hex shaft. Disconnecting arms and rods as you go. Moving things through their whole range
of motion. Check to see if any of the holes have gotten out of shape. And there is an
excessive amount of play. Worn out holes can change the angle at which a pressure is being applied.
I have sometimes put washers on the end of a rod before putting it through a plate.
Then put one or two washers on the other side before putting in the cotter pin.
It helps the rod from wobbling in the hole.
That's about all I can think of.

radarsfriend

Joined: Mar 7, 2013
Points: 3

Re: Old Ariens shifter sticking
Reply #5 Mar 7, 2013 10:32 am

Just to add to jrtrebor's comment. There will be wear in the first connection under the shifter where it makes the first connection to the rod that goes down to the frame area. Look closely at that connection for a rounded out condition. If it is worn, and you plan to keep the machine just replace that connection; either the shifter and or the rod going down.

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