Well 4-7/8" from the face of the metal drive disc to the top of the mower frame, not the engine, is way too much. 3-7/8" - 4" is Spec. Might check the spring that hold tension on drive wheel and the yoke that runs across the bottom and operates the clutch, shifter ass'y.

Walt Conner

Well thought of another thing. IF that has a "Soft Start" clutch, the rubber tired drive wheel MUST have a liner inside it. Way to tell, old style conventional clutch bolted directly to the drive hub. Soft Start is clamped between a round steel plate, a fiber disc and the drive hub, rides free, is not bolted directly.

Walt Conner

Thanks for the replies,
I meant 3 7/8 and, to the second response I think you might of answered my question. I seen the disks with the liner and was wondering if that might be the problem. Will the liner piece take up a 1/4 inch of slack. Another words is the liner about 1/8 inch thick?

". Will the liner piece take up a 1/4 inch of slack. Another words is the liner about 1/8 inch thick?"

Never measured one but I would say yes, well actually it is only going to take up 1/8" in one direction, 1/4" if you slide it back and forth, but if it has the Soft Start Clutch as I described it, that is likely your problem.

Walt Conner