Cub Cadet Restoration
(Page 3 of 6)
May 2004
Oscar H. Will III
Now that the tiresome but necessary preparation work is completed, the fun begins!
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Grab that wrench
There’s no “right” way to disassemble a Cub Cadet, so relax. Following the general outline in the service manual provides a good framework. The first step should be to disconnect and remove the battery. Next, drain the engine and transaxle oils. If the tractor has a hydrostatic transmission, leave its oil filter in place for now. The third step should be to apply penetrating fluid to the steering wheel hub after removing the retaining nut Apply penetrating fluid liberally until the wheel is finally removed.
Next, remove the implement mounts, hood, grille, grille casting, seat, fenders and footrests. Disconnect the fuel tank from the carburetor, drain and remove it. Disconnect the front PTO rod if it isn’t an electrically-actuated unit. Next, disconnect the choke and throttle cables, and all wires — now labeled — from the engine.
Remove the four engine mounting-cap screws from beneath the Cub Cadet and slide the engine forward to free it from the driveshaft. Two of the engine mounting-cap screws are above the front axle on many models — jack up and block the front of the tractor, and pivot the axle to the sides for better access to the bolts. Lift the engine from the tractor as a unit — a hoist makes this operation safer — and set the engine aside until plans have been made to inspect and overhaul it. If the engine is a single-cylinder Kohler model, attach the lift to a single-head stud using a short piece of angle iron drilled for both the stud and a clevis for the chain fall.
If the steering wheel isn’t rusted to the steering shaft and the fit isn’t exceptionally tight, moderate pressure on the wheel may break it loose. Patience and penetrating fluid are allies in unseating a difficult steering wheel. On most Cub Cadets, a puller will severely damage the steering wheel. One trick that works well: Thread a nut onto the steering shaft about half way. Then thread a bolt into the top half of that nut, and turn it down tightly against the steering shaft.
There should be space between the bottom of the nut and the hub on the steering wheel. Next, apply upward pressure on the steering wheel while rapping sharply on the bolt head with a hammer. Exercise care to avoid mashing the threads on the end of the steering shaft. Other helpful approaches to steering wheel removal are available on websites and in publications devoted to Cub Cadets.
Now that the steering wheel is off, free the operator’s pedestal and remove it from the frame by lifting it up and over the steering column. There may be clutch or hydro linkages that must be disconnected first, depending on the model. The steering gear can now be disconnected from the front axle and removed from the bottom of the tractor (on all but original models). With the driveshaft fully exposed, disconnect it from the transmission. On some models, tip the tractor on its side to remove the driveshaft and the steering gear.
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