[PA212]

So I picked up what appears to be a 1985 212 last night for a very reasonable price. The seller indicated that he was mowing with it last weekend when it stopped moving. His diagnosis was that the transmission had failed. He seems to have some mechanical knowledge FWIW.

I have what as far as I know is a good transmission in a parts 216 that I picked up last year. My initial plan is to swap the good transmission for the bad and go from there. Before I do that is there anything I should for on the “failed” transmission that would be a simple fix? At this point she rolls, so it doesn’t sound like anything is bound up inside. I don’t have her off the trailer yet so I haven’t had a chance to do any further diagnostics.

Any ideas on where to start?
Dave

 

[Kster526]

Is it as simple as a belt adjustment? Broken belt? Variator spring?
Swapping rears is pretty easy just takes a few hours. I like to check the oil in them and change it if doing that much. Usually find a little water in it
if it sat outside.
Keep us posted on your progress, good luck

 

[johndeereelfman]

Can you shift the transmission into all 5 gears easily? If it shifts, it ain't broke. I agree with Kyle that it might be a broken variator spring. If that's not it, check to make sure a keyway didn't shear off at the engine drive pulley. The motor could be running but without the keyway, it isn't spinning the pulley and drive belts.

 

[Chaser]

I agree with the above comments. If it rolls and shift into all gears, I'd look at belts and pulleys.

 

[PA212]

Thank you for the suggestions Gentlemen. I hope to have it off the trailer in a few hours and then the fun begins... Doing a quick search of the site it sounds as if the variator can be a challenge. As far as I know the one on the parts 216 is good to so maybe that will be the part that gets exchanged... I'll keep you posted.

 

[truck21]

If you need help I Know a guy in Manheim that has an enpty garage and no wife for ten days.

 

[johndeereelfman]

Heck, we could all work on it at the tractor show and have it all fixed in no time. We'd be like a pit crew in NASCAR!! 😁

 

[truck21]

That'd work.

 

[PA212]

Seems to me that they do that with model T’s at fairs - take them apart and put them back together.

So she’s off the trailer and now I can hear the clunking in the rear. Time to start pulling things apart...

 

[PA212]

She does look to be in good shape otherwise...

And check out this deck!

 

[truck21]

Good luck sir. I find it easier to take the four bolts out of the rear hitch plate and roll it right out.

 

[truck21]

Nice!!!

 

[PA212]

Getting info it now. First thing that I’ve found is that the hubs are loose on the axles. Looks as if the splines on the inside of the hubs are pretty chewed up...

Took the rear deck pan off to improve access. Major mess under there!

Should be as easy as removing the belt and the the four bolts now, right?

 

[truck21]

And the spring and brake arm.

 

[PA212]

Yup, found them and the fuel line too. Rear is out. Hope to start tearing into the donor in the morning, if chores don’t get in the way...

Anything I should watch out for as I put things back together? Going to try to clean up as much of the dirt and grime as I can. Considering replacing the fuel line too as the access is pretty good right now...

 

[truck21]

Yep definitely the right time to replace fuel line and change oil.

 

[PA212]

Progress! I’ve gotten as far as bolting the donor transaxle into the project tractor. Now to get everything else hooked up/reassembled and take her for a spin around the yard. Thinking I might put the fender deck from the donor on this one too... Decision, decisions. Good to have options!

One interesting lesson learned is that the donor had the wheels mounted in the narrow position. This made it nearly impossible to remove/reinstall the draft plate bolts (at that point I hadn’t been able to break the wheel lug bolts loose to remove the tire).

Excuse the mess, it’s a work in progress...

 

[truck21]

She'll be running in no time now.

 

[tsb3]

Nice that you had that parts tractor. Are you gonna tare into the broken rear and see what went wrong?

 

[PA212]

That’s a good question tsb3. At this point I’m not planning on tearing it down as it’s going to go under the parts tractor so it’s easier to move around.

Just have to put the brake and clutch peddles back on and fuel it up and should be good to go...🤞