Craftsman Lawn and Garden Tractor

[Estle Cloud]

This question is about a Craftsman Model 917.258863 L&G tractor. The entire electric mower clutch assembly turns when the mower is engaged and I don't see what is supposed to hold the clutch frame to keep it from turning. I have contacted Sears and was told the entire clutch assembly has to be replaced but I can't see what would keep the new one from turning also. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks for any help.
 

[t.r.k.]

If the clutch does not turn free on the shaft, meaning the part the wires go into is frozen to the shaft, then the bearings have seized. If it does turn free, then you just need the stop to keep it from turning.

Many times the clutch bearings seize, freezing the clutch to the shaft and then the assembly tears up the clutch wires and whatever stop the mfg. provided to keep the assembly from turning.
 

[mstas]

Im working on a craftsman for a friend and it has a round rod with one end flattened that keeps the clutch from turning.its held on by two bolts on the right front of the tractor. Not sure if yours is the same or if this helps any.
 

[Estle Cloud]

I too am working on a Craftsman for a friend. I think I looked at everything in the clutch area and never saw anywhere a stop could have been located, but since you gave a location, I will look there before ordering a new clutch assembly. My JD has a rod assembly to hold the clutch but it uses a different clutch. Thanks for the info.
 

[Old Roy]

I cannot see what is to stop it either unless the one point on the triangle has a notch in it .. then it would be just a long bolt from the bottom of the engine itself , or maybe a belt guard may have kept it from turning .... Hope this works .. here's a free nnalert
Manual

 

[Estle Cloud]

Thanks Roy. My neighbor who owns the machine decided to go ahead and order a new clutch since there is no apparent part that holds the clutch to keep it from turning. This machine is otherwise like new although it is several years old.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request.
 

[rustyj14]

A feller wrote in that he had worked on an electric clutch assembly, and when re-installing the electric clutch, he saw a metal piece sticking down from the frame, but, since he couldn"t move it-he figgered he"d just remove it. And he did, and---yep----the whole clutch assembly turned and ripped out the wires to the clutch! DUHHH! Oh, well, better luck next time!