M leaks

Got the rear axle and pto seals changed on the M. Now
thinking about the leak at the belt pulley gear box. Can I order
a gasket or make one. Also what is the procedure of removing
the gear box. I am not a mechanic by no means but have
heard there are shims to look out for when removing. I had
good help from some great guys from a tractor club with the
seals but would like to try this on my own. I know the gear box
is heavy, may need help lifting it out. You guys have been
great help to this older new beginner in the past. Thanks for
any replies.

The gear box is meshed with the trans input shaft/gear the thickness of the original gasket, and or shims if any determine the depth of this meshing. If too thin, it will make radical noise as the teeth bottom on each other. If too thick they will make whine noise and be less strong. So measure the thickness of that gasket setup and keep it the same when reinstalling the unit. I would use a thin but even coating of #2 non hardening Permatex on the surfaces. It will wipe off with denatured alcohol if cleaned early. There are 6 bolts holding it on, leave the middle (long) bolts in place till it is out because they hit the tank. Jim

If it just leaks at the shaft seal, remove the cap screws behind the shaft flange and take the shaft out. May need some persuasion.
Disassemble and replace the seal.
Carefully clean the metal shims.
Reassemble.
I like to put a THIN coating of black silicone on each metal shim and tighten the capscrews evenly.

It's heavy but can be handled if you're expecting it. You will need a pry bar or board between the front of the belt pulley and the torque tube. Get the area all the way around it as clean as possible. A thin screwdriver and compressed air are great. Dirt loves to accumulate between the unit and trans and will do everything possible to fall in the trans when you take the belt pulley off.

With the 4 shorter bolts out and the two long ones sitting loose in the holes, start wiggling the unit with your prying tool. There is a dowel on each side that is putting up a small fight at this point. A giant screwdriver is useful at this point both in encouraging separation of the unit from the trans and as a spacer to keep it from plopping back down once it pops loose.



With a little encouragement the unit will come loose but sit there. Get your gloves and stand on the pulley side and reach across with your left hand for lift on the far side and your right under the pulley part of the near side. Go up as much as you can and then start backing up. You've got it from then on.

Have somewhere ready to go with it that's at table height! A piece of cardboard to set it on is perfect and will keep the gear from getting dinged when you first set it down.

Now you can also get a good look at the inside of the transmission.

Instead of a gasket, I like anerobic sealer. But if you had a gasket and shims, you would have to add shims to compensate for the thickness of the gasket. The anerobic sealant will never leak, and any parts house or your dealer should have it. Mark