Crazy8 55 #1 Posted April 29, 2023 I'm still new to the WH experience. I recently pick up a used WH. It's been worked on over the years so I'm not sure really what I have. The ID tag says it's a 1979 C-81, the decals on the hood have clearly been redone and they say C-121 and it has a K301 12 HP Kohler. I need to rebuild the tranny as the left side bearing is shot and it won't hold oil. I would like to identify and order all the bearings, seals and gaskets to rebuild it before I open it up. All I know for sure is, it is an 8 speed (3 forward & 2 reverse with Hi-Low range) and it has 1" axles. I have spent alot of time on the forum looking thru the various manuals. It seems the exploded view diagrams all describe the outboard axle needle bearing as 1-1/8". Can anyone help me with a parts list for the 8 speed/1" axle tranny? Any advice on other internal parts that you would suggest I replace like detent springs & balls, or sliding shifter forks, or any parts that would help to tighten up excessive slop in the shifter handle?? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Crazy8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031 #2 Posted April 29, 2023 There are only 2 models of Hi-Low transmissions with 1" axles. The C-81 originally had 1-1/8" axles. The C-81 originally had 1-1/8" axles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031 #3 Posted April 29, 2023 Have you removed and inspected the shifter yet? Some shifters have the donut welded to the shifter and some donuts are pinned to the shifter. If the pin shears it makes a real sloppy shift because the donut can turn on the shifter. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,257 #4 Posted April 29, 2023 I'd make a reasonable guess that it's a 4 pinion 8 speed out of a mid 80s 310 or 312. The rebuild kit available has all bearings and seals you'd need. I've been in a dozen or so transmissions and never seen one that needed a full rebuild. All get 4 new seals, case gasket of course, and a shifter boot. Most get outer wheel bearings and one or two others max. Maybe 3 or 4 of ours needed one inner wheel bearing. Personally I wouldn't replace an inner wheel bearing unless it needed it. Other parts can be ordered as needed once the transmission is opened up and fully properly diagnosed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,257 #5 Posted April 29, 2023 1 minute ago, gwest_ca said: Have you removed and inspected the shifter yet? Some shifters have the donut welded to the shifter and some donuts are pinned to the shifter. If the pin shears it makes a real sloppy shift because the donut can turn on the shifter. Another simple possibility is to tighten the ½ dog set screw. Loose set screw will make a shifter feel like you're stirring spaghetti in the transmission. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy8 55 #6 Posted April 29, 2023 You guys are both an incredible resource and very helpful. Thank you for helping the newbie! ebin is the kit you mentioned available somewhere on the forum? Where can I identify it and find it? Thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,257 #7 Posted April 29, 2023 3 minutes ago, Crazy8 said: ebin is the kit you mentioned available somewhere on the forum? Where can I identify it and find it? Thanks One of our vendors, Wheelhorsepartsandmore. They sell several kits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy8 55 #8 Posted April 29, 2023 No I haven't removed the tranny or the shifter yet. I'm still doing some research to get prepared for the job. I'll probably get it pulled out in the next week or so. Open it up and get everything cleaned up and organized and then do a thorough inspection of everything before jumping into ordering parts. Thanks guys! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,283 #9 Posted April 30, 2023 12 hours ago, gwest_ca said: The C-81 originally had 1-1/8" axles. Yup, both of my 1979 C-81's have 1-1/8" axles. Sounds like you have a "Franken-Horse" - not uncommon after all the years of use... Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy8 55 #10 Posted June 15, 2023 I thought it's time for an update on the 8 spd tranny rebuild. I have kit #5 on order from wheelhorsepartsandmore. Lowell is a HUGE resource. I see that the donut on the shifter is welded. The left side axle bearing was toast with half the needles gone. That axle and wheel hub had been drilled thru and bolted together because the woodruff key slot in the shaft looked like it had been hit by a Skud missle. The area of that axle shaft where the needle bearing rides is worn down about .010". I'm just going to look for another axle and wheel hub. The Hi-Lo shifting fork was bent slightly and straightened easily. The shifting shafts and detent springs/balls are good. All internal bearings and shafts look to be in great shape so I won't replace them. I'll have the left over bearings from the kit for the future if I need em. The leading edge of the teeth on some of the gears are worn but I hope it will be a problem. The tranny was shifting fine and was not popping out of gear during the short test drives I had with it before I tore it down, although I didn't put any load on it at all. Do you think it may pop out of gear later on if I put a load on it? I'll be using the tractor to move my boat around the yard. It's about 4500 lbs with trailer and I will have to push it up a slight grade. There was some rusting on the inside surfaces of the case at the top where it was exposed to the air but other than that no serious rusting at all. I was worried about what I would find when I opened it up given that I drained 1/2 gallon of water out of it. Thought you would enjoy the update. I don't know how to copy other folks with this like Wallfish, Achto, and WHX?? so if you know how to pass it along that would be helpful. Thanks guys, Jefff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,257 #11 Posted June 15, 2023 5 hours ago, Crazy8 said: 4500 lbs with trailer and I will have to push it up a slight grade. That's plenty of freight for a Wheel Horse. I don't move anything that heavy here but my tractors are specially prepared for the loads they do haul. 5 hours ago, Crazy8 said: Wallfish, Achto, and WHX?? Get the @ symbol and then start spelling the name... Once the list shows up with the one you want, poke it. @wallfish @Achto @WHX?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,018 #12 Posted June 15, 2023 On 4/29/2023 at 5:26 PM, ebinmaine said: I've been in a dozen or so transmissions and never seen one that needed a full rebuild. This transmission out of a 1045 needed every bearing 2 gears and 2 axles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,257 #13 Posted June 15, 2023 6 minutes ago, squonk said: This transmission out of a 1045 needed every bearing 2 gears and 2 axles. Well worn and a good save. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Paulsen 290 #14 Posted June 15, 2023 Dirty pictures! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,981 #15 Posted June 15, 2023 11 hours ago, Crazy8 said: The tranny was shifting fine and was not popping out of gear during the short test drives I had with it before I tore it down, although I didn't put any load on it at all. Do you think it may pop out of gear later on if I put a load on it? Yes, a load will mesh those gears harder and typically when the pop it out. The teeth on those gears are worn (most likely from grinding them if the belt guard was off or an old belt) The worn teeth get an angle worn on to them so more force like towing will try and force them apart harder. Replacing those gears is the real solution. Backyard hammer mechanic like me would use a bungie cord until the last tooth is left and then change them. LoL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
