Craftsman 42' mower deck idler return spring

sonja71993

17 years ago

While mowing recently, the idler return spring for my Craftsman LT1000 tractor (Model no. 917.272920) broke. I wasn't able to see where it hooks on the deck. According to the schematic, the return idler spring hooks into the idler arm. I've got that. I am not sure where the other end hooks. Any help is greatly appreciated. I've tried Sears, and examined the schematic as closely as possible, but the print is pretty dim on this particular part.

Thanks

Sonja

Featured Answer

B K

last month

on the idler plate, it looks like a"key" hole; hole in the center with a horizontal grove on both sides of the hole.

On the Deck it is just a hole.

My mower is a Craftman LT100 Green in paint, 20+ years old. Never had the mower/deck replaced.

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Comments (6)

tomplum
17 years ago
It's more of a slot where it hooks into- ahead of the idler. Plugged w/ grass?
rustyj14
17 years ago
Yes, look carefully for that slot where the spring hooks into! It will be a small raised portion with a slot cut into the deck. BTST!
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mownie
17 years ago
As already mentioned by the above members, it might be hiding from you. A hint is: The slot will be located "across from" the point where the spring hooks onto the idler arm. It will be found somewhere near to where the idler arm is situated after the belts are in their respective pulleys and you draw the idler arm tight by hand. If you can do that, the slot will be easier to "discover". Once you locate the slot, it might be easier to take a belt out of a pulley, then engage the spring ends into idler arm and the slot, and then put the belt back into the pulley. You might have to "experiment a bit" to find what works best for you and your tractor
HU-464552467
4 years ago
How about some photos along with the posts
HU-464552467
4 years ago
how about posting with photos

not very mech inclined