Well I felt I needed to revisit this thread again.
I spent the winter moving snow, spring moving mud, and summer moving trees and stumps. All the while the transmission got worse and worse to shift forward to reverse, slow to get it moving when it was cold, and I lost the 4 lower gears.
I've been back into the side cover 3 times trying to find the elusive bad part only to draw a blank every time.
Testing a GST transmission is loads of fun (NOT) and every time the tests said nothing was wrong with the transmission.
Well when I rebuilt it the last time I went threw every single part except the hydraulic clutch, I was told it was new.
So wrenches started flying and apart it came, just to get to the clutch and check it all out.
Well upon disassembly yep the clutch disks are in perfect condition, spec'ed out as new thickness and they are not worn at all, dove a little deeper and BAM there it was the whole problem all along the piston seal on the hydraulic clutch was all torn up, I'm amazed it has ever moved, literally chucks missing out of it!
Looks like the mechanic put a new clutch pack in it and never even went into the piston.
The original owner had complained to the dealer that it felt like it was slipping, they tore it down 3 times and the last time broke a ton of parts trying to put it back together (read the beginning if you haven't yet).
Stupid me assumed that they had gone completely through the clutch or at least just replace the whole thing so I had disregarded it as a potential problem all along, Ugg!
Well I noticed that the shuttle gear has some bad wear, I think it was caused by the clutch pack not working properly, so I'm going to change that out while I'm in there. The dang gear I need is not cheap, $650 for one gear, OUCH! Oh well got to get it done.
Well I figured while it was down for the tranny I would multi task and replace the front gear case cover on the motor, it was damaged this winter by a cheap rebuild water pump and has been held together with some Epoxy putty. I've had the cover and all the gaskets, parts for a full service, new hoses, block heater and other replacement parts, so good time to do it all.
Poor tractor all tore down!
Dayum man, I think I would have to shed a tear or two on that !!!
But I am sure that even with the little set back - she will be up and running in no time, "mo' better than before"
I had not read the entire post till today, wow - even at my finest - i dont think i would have the time or the patience to do that !!!!
nice work on the original and I am sure you will get it back together a second time better than ever !!!
best of luck !