DKCDKC
Platinum Member
Good point. But that pulley seems fine. The bar supporting the mower deck had worn to the extent that it was actually scraping the pulley, so I double-checked it anyway. I replaced that part and all is fine now.
From talking to a few old Cub Cadet mechanics, I think its the driveshaft adapter at the point where it connects to the engine. The adapter apparently used a strange configuration and multiple small spacers that somehow cause it to all fit together. I'm told that the spacers can get loose and make a lot of noise. But the only damage is to the adapter, etc, which I'll have to remove and replace. But I'd have to remove and replace it to fix it now or later - so I'm leaning toward just letting it be for a few months and using it until I get time to fix it. If it breaks, I'm no worse off either way I don't thionk.
Bad decision. Shaft parted as I thought likely. But, in doing so, it bent and damaged the flywheel fan/screen. And those parts are all not only expensive, but show as not available on parts stores. I'm still checking. It'll cost me $300 in parts at least. I should have fixed it up front... Particularly now that I know how easy the engine comes out so you can get to the drive shaft. I guess I chalk it up to experience - a good lesson.