2006 5254 Transaxle

[cyclenorthman]

I bought a new 2006 (last year they made them?) with a front mount 48" snowblower for $6500 and found a new FEL kit for $2000 but just want you to see the transaxle problemI had at 130 hours.Dealer and Cub fixed it for free 9 months out off warranty,hats off to them.Replacement has different parts number and has an upgrade to fix this problem.
If you check your trans fluid and find metal particles you might want to look inside.
5 of the 6 (the 6th one was on it's way out) of the differential bolts backed out and one got into the PTO gears,locking it up and poping the rear mower gearbox in two.

 

[Cub5k]

I have a 2004 5252. I think I snapped the left rear axle when pushing snow last weekend. I think I'm going to have to take the trans cover off so I might as well check for this problem also. Did you pull the transmission yourself as I have a couple questions.

 

[cyclenorthman]

dealer did the work but I did see some of the work.Whats up?
CNM

 

[Cub5k]

I'm going to have to open the transmission and it doesn't look like a big job but I'm unsure about the reassembly. There are 3 shafts that have to go into the side of the trans when it is put back on. I was curious how that was accomplished. Most transmissions come apart as top half and bottom half which makes it simpler to reassemble.

 

[cyclenorthman]

Get the brake shaft and the HI/LO shift shaft lined up and try turning the axle as you slowly lower and tap the upper case onto the lower.Remember to have the allen plug,spring and steel ball for the detent removed.
CNM

 

[Cub5k]

Thanks for the info. My parts diagram does not show that allen plug, spring and steel ball. I will check further. A couple more questions if you don't mind. Is there any special kind of sealer used for the casing halves? Doesn't look like any gasket is used. Also, after reassembly, is there any "priming" or air purge necessary? I haven't had any luck finding a tech manual for rebuilding this series transmissions.

 

[cyclenorthman]

It looks like they used the black RTV silicone sealer.I have seen it listed in parts list online,dealer may be able to help on that.
I would make sure the large filter is carefully prefilled with oil and don't run it above idle until hydraulics work and you know you have pressure.I believe the steering is the first item in line to get pressure so when that works you're OK.You should see pressure within 10-20 secs.
CNM

 

[Cub5k]

Perfect. I found the Black RTV silicone that says its oil resistant, heat tolerant up to 500 degees. that should do it. Thanks much for the good info.

 

[Rolloff153]

You seem to know something about transaxles so I hope you don't mind if I ask a question. I have a 3206 that started making a popping sound in the rear end . The tractor jerk and then quit moving altogether. It will move with no problem with the diff lock engaged. I know it's not much to go on but would you think it is a broken axle? Thanks for your time.

 

[jnelson]

Rolloff,

I'm sure that there are more knowledgeable people here that are more familiar with the specifics of your model, but it sure sounds like it could be an axle - broken or sheared. I suppose there is a chance that it could somehow be related to gears in the differential, but it sure sounds like an axle to me.

I'm thinking that a broken axle might be the best thing to hope for since it would seem to me that would be the easiest repair considering the alternatives.

Good luck with that!

JN

 

[Cub5k]

I removed the left rear axle found it sheared clean just where the splines begin. I need to know if there is any way to remove the splined end left in the tractor. It would save hours of transmission removal and tear down if I could somehow extract the splined end via the axle housing. Its about 10inches inside to the axle housing but it looks like it sheared fairly even with the bearing so I don't know how much there would be to grab onto. Any ideas??

 

[Cub5k]

You seem to know something about transaxles so I hope you don't mind if I ask a question. I have a 3206 that started making a popping sound in the rear end . The tractor jerk and then quit moving altogether. It will move with no problem with the diff lock engaged. I know it's not much to go on but would you think it is a broken axle? Thanks for your time.

In looking at your parts diagram for that tractor I would almost bet that the left axle is broken. When it breaks the tractor won't move unless you press the diff lock. Then you will only be driving the right wheel. The noise you hear might be the broken axle ends rubbing so you may not want to drive it. I just pulled my axle this afternoon and it broke cleanly right where the splines start. Unfortunately the splines stayed in the tractor and I will probably have to tear it down to get them out.

The test described in my service manual is this. Put the tractor in either Hi or Low range (if it has that) and try to roll it. If it rolls then the problem is def in the gears not hydro.

good luck

 

[Rolloff153]

Thanks to all for the reply. I'm a good parts changer but not too good at diagnostics

 

[Cub5k]

I went to Sears and got the heaviest magnetic pickup tool they had, 5lb pickup. I slid it in thru the axle housing and retrieved the splined end no problem. Very lucky that it wasn't stuck tight I guess. The break was completely clean with no pieces missing. Looks like the weld separated. I went ahead and replaced both axles with heavy duty ones. Only took about 30 minutes and it was back on it's wheels. Took much longer to refill the thing with oil.

 

[jnelson]

Cub5K,

Sounds like you made out well on your repair. Good thinking on the magnetic parts grabber. Sure beats a tear down.

How did you come up with 'heavy duty' axles? Was that something offered by Cub or did you find HD aftermarket parts?

JN

 

[Cub5k]

Cub5K,

Sounds like you made out well on your repair. Good thinking on the magnetic parts grabber. Sure beats a tear down.

How did you come up with 'heavy duty' axles? Was that something offered by Cub or did you find HD aftermarket parts?

JN

I really lucked out getting the axle end out with no fuss at all.

I had bought a Kwikway backhoe back in December that I hadn't gotten around to installing. It came with 2 CC OEM Heavy Duty axles. The CC service manual for my tractor has a chapter on installing the HD axles when using a backhoe. They look exactly like the originals but I heard they are stronger steel.

 

[jnelson]

It came with 2 CC OEM Heavy Duty axles.

Interesting...... I guess on the one hand I am disappointed as I would like to think that they would install the strongest axle design by default on all their tractors. On the other hand I guess it is good that they recognize the need for stronger axles and make them available. Unfortunately, how many people would never be aware that they are available or necessary until they find out the hard way?

Perhaps I am just too much of a perfectionist? Anyhow....

Once again I am glad for you that things worked out as well as they did! Your experience may very well benefit someone else in a similar situation.

JN

 

[max81sr]

I had a 5254..... key word was had, 4 trans assembly's and 4th was going bad, complained,called cub direct, waited..... waited some more. altogether I lost 1 and 1/2 seasons to it being down. after a year and a half of constant calling and complaining Cub switched out my 5254 with a 6284 free of charge!!! <- sounds good don't it?? WRONG, that tractor was only slightly better, never problems out of the trans, just everywhere else. good luck, with yours.

 

[Cub5k]

I had a 5254..... key word was had, 4 trans assembly's and 4th was going bad, complained,called cub direct, waited..... waited some more. altogether I lost 1 and 1/2 seasons to it being down. after a year and a half of constant calling and complaining Cub switched out my 5254 with a 6284 free of charge!!! <- sounds good don't it?? WRONG, that tractor was only slightly better, never problems out of the trans, just everywhere else. good luck, with yours.

There's a lot of those stories but I also see a whole lot of the 5000 series still around. I bought one in 2004 and have worked it way beyond its design with no problems. I even dug the hole for our inground pool with it. I discovered that my axle broke because the differential lock was sticking and I didn't realize it. A bunch of crud had built up where the diff lock cable goes into the trans causing it not to release. Pushing and lifting a lot of snow on asphalt and it let go. Can't complain too much though because the axle replacement only took 30 minutes.

 

[Cub5k]

Here's some pictures of the pool excavation done with the 5252. That's a tiller on the back. Needed for traction.