Cub cadet 2523 runs but no-go
 

I bought a 2523 Cub Cadet from a friend of mine a week ago. 200 hours and in nice shape. Runs really smooth and has lots of power. Handles the 54” deck with ease. I’m mowing with it and go into reverse to turn around and when I pedal forward something popped and it won’t go forward or reverse. The release at the back will not move the release valve at all and it has no brakes. Linkages are all hooked up so it’s got to be internal. There’s also about 1/4-1/2” play in the rear wheels or axles sliding in and out. I’m a little skidding about tearing into this unit but I really don’t want to have to pay the $75 an hour to the dealer. And I’m not dealing with any shade tree repair shops. Any idea what this might be? And if it us a stuck relief valve how can I diagnose it?

If you don't have any brakes sounds like something broke in the rear differential. That tractor has the brake on the differential not on the axles. Time to take the fender pan off the tractor and have a good look around.

I'm betting that the 4 bolts on the ring ear took a dump, number 7 in this pic

I’ve taken the fender pan off and like I said there’s nothing out of place that the eye can see.

Looks catastrophic to me. Thanks for the info. I’ll research this and see what I’m lookin at.

You find a donor tractor and get the rear from it.

The rear differential is not real complicated inside and new and used parts are readily available to fix it. Do you hear clunking or grinding when you turn the rear wheels by hand? If so, time to split it apart and see what broke. You can download the 2000 series 2011 and after service manual here that describes removing and disassembling the rear differential.

https://www.ccpartsnmore.com/cub-cadet-service-manuals

There’s not a clunking sound but more like a clicking sound where 2 gears are touching but not locked. And that’s very quiet. For the most part it rolls very smooth with lil to no resistance. If the 4 bolts are sheared off at the ring gear inside the housing itlloks like it would be fairly simple to remove the axle and 14 bolts holding that side on. I would assume then there would be the fix to the ring gear. I’m going to search on the internet or you tube for videos and looks at the manual for procedure for disassembly. I’m more leaning now towards doing this myself. Worse case is it’s messed up bad enough to find a used unit. Or scrap the damn thing and use the engine to report my 1812 in the future. Which has 1700 hrs on her.

You say it moves with little to no resistance and you can't engage the hydro release valve. That being said tells me the mechanical connection to the transmission is broken. Even with the release valve engaged there should be some resistance to moving it.

The driveshaft turns freely when the mower is running. If you push the pedal forward or reverse you can hear the pump pumping and hydraulic motor turning. But doesn’t even try to move. Except when it’s jacked up off the ground and then the wheels will move but can easily stop them with your hand. The release lever won’t move from its position. Which seems to be in the middle between engaged and disengaged. The brakes will not engage on the rotor either. So it’s not trying to stop the axle.

Does the rotor for the brake move when you press the forward or reverse pedal? The release lever not working and the brake pads not engaging the rotor need to be repaired before you dig into the rear differential. Your comments are making me feel your missing something simple.

Well I did get to remove the transaxle this afternoon and by following the instructions manual I removed the pump and motor and the disc brake. I took out the 14 bolts that hold the left side on and haven’t got it to separate yet but didn’t get to spend anymore time on it either. Tomorrow I’ll go back over the procedure and make sure I haven’t missed anything. But so far the output shaft(the one that goes parallel above the axles) turns with the input shaft from the motor. And that’s where it stops. So something is definitely broke inside. The fluid doesn’t look very good either. Really dark and looked like a lot of metal grit. I don’t think the fluid or the filter has ever been changed. I’ll post some pics tomorrow when I get it pride apart and disassembled. I’ll probably make a YouTube video as well showing what has happened. Thanks again everyone for the help and encouragement.

Make sure you clean up the ends of the axle of any rust with some fine emery cloth or you may damage the axle seals and have a heck of a time getting that part of the axle thru the bearings.

For some reason I can’t upload a pic right now. But the culprit is the left axle shaft at the spider gears is stripped out. So a new axle and bevel gear and should be up and mowing again.

Once again thanks for everyone’s response and help. Y’all have saved me some bucks. I’ll post back when my parts come in and get it back on the yard!

Well it’s been bout long enough and I’m still waiting on parts. An axle shaft for this 25 23 and lip seals for my 1812 for the hydro pump. They’re on back order from the factory and according to some parts distributors there’s no one that has any new ones in stock. Do any of you. Guys on here know where I can get a used axle for my 2523 or have a couple lip seals laying around? Just let me know I’ll send you a money order for part and shipping.

Do you know the part number of the seals? Are you needing all the seals?

Double check the part number, but here is a axle shaft on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14403744791...AAAOSweu1gnEaQ

Hell yea man that’s it. Thanks I’ll get on that.

I just need the 2 lip seals where the drive shaft enters and the rear where it exits. The company that ordered through has all the rest.

Got the axle ordered and should be here on or before the 15th. And the other company is sending all available parts. So in a couple weeks I’ll be up and mowing again. Just before time for all those leaves. Thanks again for the info.

Ok I’ve got all my parts in for this repair. Tomorrow I’ll start putting it all back together. I’ll take some pics as I go and hopefully we can all learn together.