273 Drive shaft - Me too!

[km-ri]

All you 273 owners, check the drive shaft between the engine and HST. If you do not have universal joints I strongly recommend getting to your dealer and getting the the new design installed BEFORE the shaft lets go. Notice I said BEFORE. As mentioned in a previous thread the original design of this linkage was based upon three ball bearings used in a sleeve as contact points to transfer the torque of the engine into the HST. Holding the sleeve in place is a sheet metal collar. Not the most robust design. As you might guess mine failed a month ago and I just got my machine back (no fault to my dealer who was great). It took a little time to get the new parts. The new design has fully sealed universal joints. My mechanic says the tranny will go before these do (comforting). The first thing I noticed is the tell tale ringing/rattle I always heard was gone, not sure if they are related.

My machine only had 300 hrs on it and I don't really abuse it. The toughest thing on the drive train is pushing snow with the bucket loader. Well thankfully TYM honored the warranty since I was only in my 4th year. The repair was done for the bubble, but had my hydraulic filter and fluid changed since the dealer had been so helpful. Hope you all can get this resolved before it bites you in the back side. Now if I could get the hydraulic fluid from leaking from the reservoir breather tube when using the backhoe I would be the happiest customer. Right now I catch the fluid in an old water bottle. It works but is a cheesy solution. My buddy who has a green machine gets a chuckle out of the arrangement.

 

[myyaz33]

You have a photo of your new drive shaft? Or the old one for that matter?

 

[myyaz33]

I assume the old one looks like this? Has anyone had theirs replaced before failure?

 

[ALKY]

I assume the old one looks like this? Has anyone had theirs replaced before failure?

I think u are showing the wrong shaft.

 

[Gregster613]

Hi Km-ri, My 273 is a 2009 model and it has the universal joints. However, I always get that pinging/ringing noise about every 50 hours or so. What that tells me is that it's time for a shot or two of grease in the zerk fittings. Man, the one closest to the hydraulic filter is a bear to get at, but once it gets a touch of grease the noise goes away. It's been like that for 375.5 hours and is still going strong! Knock on wood! Ever since I read about the shaft failures I've been sure to grease those zerks whenever I hear the pinging/rattling. So, don't be surprised if you do hear the noise again, just crawl under and squirt in a shot or two of grease. Best of luck to you. Greg

 

[myyaz33]

I think u are showing the wrong shaft.

Certainly possible..

 

[vabiker23518]

This is what half of mine looked like after it broke on my T233.

 

[ALKY]

The attachment to the shaft is similar to an automotive steering shaft,but missing 1 important detail.A steering box shaft has a groove cut round the shaft for the bolt to seat in.Thus keeping the shaft in place. My 233 throws the shaft off all the time.A few times,I put it back on n sometimes it is junk.It sure makes u move fast when it flies off! lol

 

[CDR]

Well the last two posts don't give me a lot of confidence in my recent repairs and new shaft. I knew that there was no groove in the shaft to help retain the shaft. My shaft has no grease fittings the universals are sealed.

 

[myyaz33]

I think u are showing the wrong shaft.

Did I post the correct picture? Anyone?

 

[CDR]

Nope. It is the shaft above that between the engine and the HST. The shaft you posted powers the front end in 4wd. The ends of the shaft you pictured are the same as the old style shaft being replaced.

 

[Bud Soda]

Looks like I have the old model shaft in my Montana. Got about 600 hours on it now and it has not failed yet. Maybe I should go ahead and change it I am planning to make a subframe to stop the twisting as soon as I have time. Maybe that will help the shaft also.

 

[myyaz33]

Guess what? I found out which input shaft you were all taking about and I did it the HARD WAY. Mine broke Friday when helping a cousin put in a new yard. I got it shut down pretty quickly but what an awful sound it made. I have not had time to take a deeper look and see if the splines got damaged. The thing that irritates me most is last month I called my dealer and inquired about the re-designed shaft (after seeing all these threads) and although he was happy to order me one he said he wouldn't worry about it because they have not seen many fail so I didn't order one. Looking through the threads here, that certainly does not seem to be the case. Wish me luck in getting this thing going again.

 

[Gregster613]

myyaz33, That sure stinks! I thought yours was new enough to have had the "supposedly" improved design already installed? If so, then it means I've got a problem coming along some day also -- sure hope it's way down the road. Good luck with your repair. Greg

 

[myyaz33]

Greg- I wish it was new enough but it was not. I also had to ask the dealer to get the updated muffler design after having problems. If you are under warranty still, you should insist they get you the replacement as it will cost much less upfront than later for both parties.

 

[Gregster613]

myyaz33, Mine (2009) came with the muffler update already attached; and I believe the newer drive shaft -- as mine has (2) grease zerks on it. One
at each end. They seem to like a shot or two approx every 50 hours too. Hopefully it is in fact a stronger shaft! Good luck with your repairs; I look forward to reading about it and perhaps seeing some pics? Stay strong... Greg