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Old 4X2 rear end nosiy and locking
I am not a mechanic, I am a professional gardener. I use my 2003(?) 4X2 gator every day, all day, at work. We have two mechanics on the job that maintain a fleet of 15 or so gators and several riding mowers and lots of small power equip. So they should be able to figure this out but have been trying with no luck so far.
For quite a while when braking there is a squeaking that transitions to a very loud howl or moan when coming to a stop. The brakes themselves were quite bad and I had to stomp on them long and hard to have a chance of stopping. So the mechanics took apart the transmission, (brakes inside on this model), and replaced the brakes. Then the gator stopped great, but the sound was no different. Sometimes after coming to a stop, it SEEMS like the brakes remain stuck on because When in neutral I can not push it forward or back. When in gear it will move while making the groaning sound, but when the gas is let up it will stop within in a few feet. Going forwards and backwards a few times usually frees it up for a while.
The mechanics lifted the rear end and played with the wheels etc. and "determined" that some gears in the transmission were locking. So they took the transmission apart again and changed those. Afterwards, still exactly the same problem. At one point they told me that they had even put in a totally different transmission from another gator and the problem persisted.
Frustrated, I Googled the symptoms and found a few things (here and other places), that made me think it might be bad wheel bearings. The mechanics took them apart and checked and said they were fine, well greased and spinning free.
Bottom line is loud noise when stopping, rear end seems locked in place at times, and the mechanics are running out of ideas. They are planning Monday to take the transmission apart for a 3rd time. Does anyone have a suggestion what could be causing this? I just want my Gator back, it is my busy time of the year and the loaner I am using is a slug. Thanks.
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Old 4X2 rear end nosiy and locking
The noise you hear is typical to all 6x4/4x2 transaxles. My belief is that the fluid gets contaminated easily and this directly affects the brake system. This should help your situation. Drive your Gator around and pull your emergency brake up and down with the button held in. Sometimes it takes awhile but sooner or later the groaning/creaking will stop. I think the braking surfaces get scrubbed off or cleaned up. When it doesn't groan anymore, stop and drain your transaxle and replace the fluid. The fluid must conform to J20C specs. John Deere Hyguard is the best, I use Traveller from Tractor Supply which seems a little thinner. I think you will find this will help and every time you do it, the situation will improve.
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Old 4X2 rear end nosiy and locking
I understand what you are saying but here is the situation. The groaning and squeaking noise has been happening for more than a year. We have 15 or more of these gators at work and some do it also a bit, but not all of them and none as loud as mine. In addition the rear end locks up periodically where as I start to accelerate from a stop it feels like the brake is on and it makes the same sound as when I am braking. Sometimes rocking back a forth a few times will release it, other times the rear end must be lifted and messed with to release the wheels. Now here is the thing:
It was doing this before the mechanics started trying to fix it. What they have done is the following:
1st - New Brakes. Sound and locking remained exactly the same although braking is now great.
2nd - Removed the transmission again and replaced some of the gears they thought were locking up. Sound and locking remained exactly the same.
3rd - Supposedly, they put in another transmission from a Gator with a blown engine. Sound and locking remained the same.
4th - I searched a bit online and found some posts that SEEMED to possibly indicate bad rear wheel bearings were a possibility. They removed and inspected those and say they are well greased and spinning free.
What else could it be especially if it happens with two different transmissions?
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