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Bit stuck. Got a basic Qualcast self-propelled mower, and the drive cable snapped. Bought a spare and had a look at it this afternoon. Am I missing something, seems to be a right PITA to do.
Cable comes through a hole on the deck, and connects to the top of the little gearbox - which you can't access from underneath. So it looks like I've got to remove both the driven rear wheels, bearings, bushes etc. etc. to drop the axle and gearbox just to replace the cable? Might just carry on pushing it if that's the case 🙂
Sorry can't help directly with the original question, but a little tip, (and a bump) for you. If you end up taking it somewhere to get sorted, try an independent hire shop rather than a mower specialist. Much less seasonally busy and experts at fixing all kinds of kit.
Ta. Will do that.
Half stripped it down yesterday, which was worth doing anyway as the drive mechanism was full of all sorts of crud - now cleaned up and working well. Was doing an oil/filter change too. But there's so much more to dismantle just to get to that cable - seems nuts.
you'll probably have to do just that, assuming the whole gearbox/ driveshaft assembly won't slide out of the slots ie by loosening some bolts...
Can't you get to the cable from above or a removable panel under the flap which holds the grass box on?
assuming the whole gearbox/ driveshaft assembly won’t slide out of the slots
The slots are keyhole shaped - so I think the black bushing is holding it in there. Reckon I'll have to pull that bearing, and the bushing underneath. Unknown at the mo is how the height adjustment mechanism comes off (silver rod behind) as that silver plate also goes around the driveshaft, with no obvious way of getting it off.
Can’t you get to the cable from above or a removable panel under the flap which holds the grass box on?
Annoyingly no, had a look at that. It's one piece of black plastic that also has a slot for the driveshaft. I'm not far off cutting my own little access hatch in the top deck 🙂
Been quite interesting working out how it all works though. Each wheel has a very basic freehub body inside, so the wheels are driven in one direction, freewheel the other way.
Looks similar to a mower we have, removing the torx screw visible in your pick should allow the gearbox to rotate around the axle.
Just about gave me room to get my hand in and in my case undo the cable (one of the 'freewheels' was knackered, so removed the drive).
Thanks fettlin. You're right! That's the mount for the gearbox...but it just won't rotate quite enough to get at the fiddly cable stop (has two tabs you have to press, and new one will need to be clicked in). So close. Had the blade and belt cover off too - can unhook the cable easy but just that cable stop. Anyway, it's all back together now 'cos I want to use it tomo.
Try on here... https://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/
There are some ex trade folks who are very helpful.
Chris