Dave, I wish I had seen this earlier. I could have saved you some trouble. There is a snap ring between the gear and the case that requires a special tool to get to (AND the knowledge that it is there in the first place) I am glad you did not push hard on the parts as the danger is you go and crack the case and the bill gets substantially higher! I learned this when I had to replace a bearing in my
L3710.
The dealer is correct that it does not take special tools to put it back together as the snap ring "snaps" into place upon PROPER assembly.
I know the guys you used for the work. Believe me they are better than the shop we both USE to get parts from.
I just saw the part on the bolts vs studs.......... MAN! do they ever make it easy???!!!!!!!
Do you know the thread pitch etc? I gotta think Rand's has something that will work for the time being. I actually found a left hand threaded bolt there the other day. So they do have oddball stuff. Bet it is metric though and it does need to have the properly rounded shoulder.
BTW, don't toss that hub and stud set....... the studs Can be pressed out and having spares around in a pinch can save the day!