[sonnyatoak]

I have a older Craftsman LT4000 riding lawnmower. I took of the mower deck to replace the belt. Some how, the Clutch spring came off (I didn't notice until I put deck mower back in place). So now I have a clutch spring (3 inches long) I need to put back on. HOwever, I don't know where it goes on the mower deck. The blades do not disengage and stay running all the time. Help

[sonnyatoak]

I've seen a similar question where the spring has hooks at the end. This is a tension spring, no hooks at either end. Approx 3 inches long and 3/4 inch wide.Attachment 46545

[crigby]

Hi,
It would be most intructive if you would provide the model number; that 917 number from under the seat. Alos is this on the deck, or behind the dash, there quite commoly two springs in effect.
Peace,
Clarke

[sonnyatoak]

Sorry for not including the Craftsman Model number. It is 317.255441

It must be related to the Clutch lever stick. While there is still some tension, its not the same as before. Less tension now. Other than the one spring with a hook on it, I don't see any other tension spring in the manual that would work with that.

[crigby]

Hi,
I think you got the first digit wong. On a 917.255441 the sing the spring attaches to the engagement arm and the hole the odd-shaped ider arm. Usually it is in front of the oivot with the hooke attaching from beneath and hoking over the top. I would still look at the pivet point as that is the common point of problems.
Peace,
Clarke

[ghower]

It matters how old. You have a cable newer or rod older which ingages the blades.
A three inch spring is either from a blade brake newer deck or the very front. There
Is a hole in front middle to the pivot point where both deck Mandels and pulley move. Its metal on metal on metal. You must take deck back off and manually engage blade pulleys.
Check blade brakes to pulleys. These wear out and impede pivot points. Use white lithium grease where metal on metal moves pulleys . Check angle of pulleys . If anything is just not right it won't work right