1650 hydro pump removal
 

After searching for the hydro fluid leak for a couple of weeks, I think I'm going to replace the gasket on the pump. One thing that I noticed is that one of the bolts is inaccessible because of the brake arm. Is there a procedure for removing the pump published somewhere? Any tips on doing this job?

The easiest way to replace gasket is to remve the rear end from your Cub.

A Service Manual comes in real handy to remove the hydro pump in your 1650. Don't have a service manual????? One can found in Only Cub Cadets techincal section:
http://ccmanuals.info/pdf/86_1650service.pdf
Page 2-42 has the needed infomation on removing the the rear end from your 1650. Once the rear end is removed the bolt behind the brake arm can be removed.

I will remove the 2 bolts in the rag joint when I disconnect the driveshaft instead of removing the pin.

Thanks Merk, I do have the service manual, and that's what led to my confusion. It states to just unbolt the pump and lift it out. Not so simple in actuality. The engine is out and the tractor is mostly disassembled, so there's no better time to fix the hydro leak. You mentioned removing the rear-end. I"m not sure how that would get the brake arm out of the way. The pump still needs to be separated somehow?

There should be enough room to get a wrench on the bolt behind the brake arm.
If you have disc brakes you may have disconnect the rod going back to the calipers.
If you have internal brakes you may have to back off adjustment bolt.

Removing the brake adjustment bolt will let you drive out the pivot pin for the brake arm, at which point the brake arm slides out.

If it was me I'd leave the rear alone and just pull the pump after you get the bolts out. I've done it on a few q/l's no prob

I took Merk's advice and pulled the frame off the rear end. In retrospect, taking the brake arm off would have worked also, but it wasn't a bad job. I'll be back at it later this week to take the pump off. From the diagrams (not too clear) it looks like there are 4 bolts holding it to the rear end. Is this correct? Also, is there anything else I should be inspecting or replacing while I'm this deep into the machine? I'd hate to paint it and reassemble only to find I've missed something.