Slip Collar repair on 54c deck drive shaft

[Todd NE WY]

Sorry for the wierd title just couldn't think of anything better.
The problem I have is when I went to remove the deck from my JD X465 last night for new blades, cleaning under and on top I could not get the collar that lets the drive shaft slide off of the PTO stub to move more than about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. I finally had to take the deck end loose get the deck out and then was able to work it free.
My qustion is has anyone disassembled one of these? JD parts shows a snap ring as the outer most piece but I wondered if there is a "cover" of some type over this.

Thanks for the help.

Todd

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Here is the problem I had.
Old (1987)JD855 with a used 60"MMM and a new drive shaft.

The tractor end of the drive shaft looked as if it had been dipped in the sludge in the bottom of the paint vat. The female splines were clean, but the hand collar, retainer clip, spring, and ball bearings in the holes the bearing sit in were all glued together with paint sludge.

I had to use a utility knife to scrape the paint off. Got the retaining clip off, and kept chipping paint chunks off until I got it all cleaned up. I was not easy to chip off and was quite time consuming to do a complete clean up.

Now each time I take it off or put it on, I just give it a very liberal drenching with silicone spray, and it works very easily.

Good luck
Wyo

 

[XSKIER]

My 425 was difficult to remove the driveshaft from the mid PTO as well. I removed the spring clip, then let out the spring and retainer balls. Cleaned of the rust and dirt, applied grease and re-assembled. It works pretty smooth now, good thing too as my deck comes off after each cutting so I can use the tractor for other chores.

 

[Todd NE WY]

I think I figured it out. The reason I hadn't noticed the slip ring before is you have to have the collar slid back to see it. My problem is the collar doesn't slide. I was messing with it last night and there is a flat washer between the spring and the yoke. This washer must have gotten hit by a rock and is bent on 1 side, this bend puts it in a bind and doesn't let the collar slide over it. By fiddling with the washer I can make the collar slide like it should. Tonight I will take it a part and straighten the washer out. Funny part, JD parts does not show the flat washer in the exploded view of that end of the drive shaft. Thanks to you guys for the suggestions.

Todd