Riding Lawn Mowers

1997 Sears Craftsman Garden Tractor Model# 9170258900 Manufacturer: AYP, acquired by Husqvarna My Craftsman 22.5HP V-TWIN Kohler Command, Diehard 50", 6 - speed garden tractor I purchased from Sears in Shreveport, LA in 1997 was a victim of the recent August 2016 flood (presidentially declared disaster area, Livingston Parish, LA). Per owner's manual, removed left rear tire to access 3/8" fluid level plug. Carefully captured about 2 - 3 fl. oz. of oil. This indicated flood water entered transaxle. Obtained suitable container to carefully measure the amount of fluid held in my transaxle upon removing transaxle drain plug as the fluid capacity of the transaxle was omitted from the owner's manual. The owner's manual only indicated the transaxle uses SAE-30 fluid & said to refer to a previous page for capacity. But the only fluid capacities listed are engine oil & fuel tank. I recovered 128 fl. oz. of oil & flood water of which I estimate approximately 2-3 fl. oz. of flood water in the container. Note: Upon removal of the fluid level plug, the portion of the plug facing the inside of the transaxle case had a thin layer of light tan mud on it which I cleaned off. The same goes for the drain plug. I need to know who manufactured my transaxle so that I can properly lubricate the gears. I contacted Sears regarding who manufactured my transaxle. They told me to contact "Ziegler" & provided the following phone number: (866) 914-1252. I asked if they could provide any further information about Ziegler. The service associate replied that was all the information they had. The phone number they provided was for a different company, M and D Motor & Appliance. I just got off the phone with a sales associate who told me their company only purchases lawn & garden product's parts for resale to consumers. He told me I had to contact Husqvarna who acquired AYP a few years ago. My owner's manual shows a breakdown of my transaxle & a parts list. In addition, the part number for a complete new transaxle assembly is 140332. This part number is no longer available & crosses over to Husqvarna part number 532184956. The M & D Motor & Appliance web site lists: 1st listing: Husqvarna / AYP / Sear / Craftsman / Poulan / Weedeater: 140332 transaxle crossing again to Husqvarna part number 532184956. 2nd listing: AYP / Sears: Sub= 161823, Replaced by HOP-140332, Replaced by 532184956, again the same Husqvarna part number. 3rd listing of 3: AYP / Sears: 139535 > 140332. While I was on the phone with M & D, I found an aluminum tag on the rear bolt of my transaxle, stamped, "SERIAL 89059" on the first line & "TYPE 139535" on the second line. That is the only identifying information on the transaxle I have been able to find. Basically I need to know how to properly disassemble my transaxle for cleaning, as I have read about Tecumseh-Pierless transmissions pointing out to be careful not to lose a small part (a small metal sphere) & to be sure it is in the proper location it was originally in when separating the housing; related to shifter detent. Further I read some transaxle requiring a special grease, "Bentonite", being applied to all gear assemblies except for one that required yet another different special type of grease be applied before reassembly. After reassembly, the document says to fill with gear oil. I have not used the tractor since the flood other than pushing it out of my car port by hand to work on. As the original owner of my 19 year old garden tractor with only 409.3 hours on it's clock, I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestions you may have. If I can provide any further information please do not hesitate to contact me. Thomas Green 10005 Cloverdale St. Denham Springs LA 70726 (601) 870-1196 nospam7350@gmail.com Sears employee from 1984 thru 1990, hired at the age of 15 at the Natchez, MS store during highschool; transferred to Sears Service & Parts Department in 1986 while attending USM.