Parts Cleaning, Inspection and Replacement

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
^ Use appropriate safety equipment such as:
- Safety glasses.
- Safety shoes.
- Gloves.
^ Keep work area and tools clean.
^ Clean transaxle exterior before removing parts.
^ Do not use wipe cloths or rags.
^ Do not use solvents on:
- Rubber seals.
- Plastic/Teflon thrust washers.
^ Blow out all passages with compressed air.
^ Clean out small passages with fine wire.
^ Handle parts carefully to prevent damage. Lubricate all internal parts with transaxle fluid during assembly. When installing screws, bolts or studs into aluminum, always dip the threads in transaxle fluid(except bolts coated with sealant). Always use a torque wrench for proper torque. Recondition damaged or stripped aluminum threads with thread inserts.
- Replace all gaskets and O-ring seals.
^ Do not use gasket cement or sealers.
^ Replace Teflon and rubber lip seals only when necessary, and install using the appropriate seal protector.

Inspect
^ Manual linkage for:
- Wear at pivoting points.
- Bent or broken links and rods.
^ All seals, gaskets, O-rings and mating surfaces for:
- Nicks.
- Cuts.
- Damage.
- Snap rings for:
- Expansion or compression.
- Distortion.
- Nicks.
- Proper ring to groove fit.
^ Bearings and thrust surfaces for:
- Wear.
- Scoring.
- Pitting.