englertstephen 12 #1 Posted November 10 Just bought a RJ58. Safe to say the transaxle is in need of a gearset. I’ve searched the for sale forum and no luck. Is there any where I can buy these or purchase a complete transaxle. Going to post in the wanted section as well. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,742 #2 Posted November 10 In the picture they don't look all that bad. Before you opt for a new set of gears, give your old gears a good cleaning. Check for broken teeth or bad pitting. You may be able to reuse all or most of what you have. I cleaned this tranny up, replaced all the bearings, & reused all the gears. That was in 2016 & it's still in service. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,130 #3 Posted November 10 (edited) I responded to your post on FB but you have come to a much much better forum here. Way less stupid comments if we could just get rid of @Sparky ... We can coach you on saving. Rat Rod tranny Dan? Some more inspiration. Did I mention we like our here? Someone put up links to Dino's vids please. I'm up nort with only a dumb phone Eventually went in this tractor. Edited November 10 by WHX?? 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,079 #4 Posted November 10 (edited) @Achto how did you clean the gears? Wire brush & elbow grease? Electrolysis? Some sort of commerical rust remover solution? Vinager soak? Edited November 10 by 8ntruck 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OoPEZoO 526 #5 Posted November 10 Yup, don’t count those gears out until you finish complete disassembly and clean up. Electrolysis is my personal favorite method, but any solvent and some elbow grease will get it done too. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,130 #6 Posted November 10 I've never done the electroly thing but wouldn't be beyond giving it a whirl. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,847 #7 Posted November 10 You've come to the right place for lots of friendly help and a little kidding around. Like others I suggest cleaning those gears and case up. They don't have to be perfect for a show cruiser. Electrolysis, vinegar, citric acid, grinder sand blast, wire wheel, elbow grease all work. I use them all. Just an FYI, many of the gears in the 3 and 4 speed Unidrive transmissions are the same. But there are some gears that changed the number of teeth and have to be replaced in pairs. Keep us posted. This picture will give you an idea of what gears can look like and still work for a tractor that's only going to be a show cruiser. Its a little noisy but it works and shifts fine. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,291 #8 Posted November 10 Electrolysis is the nuts for de-rusting . Jake Kuhn on FB has all the gears. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,399 #9 Posted November 10 4 hours ago, WHX?? said: I responded to your post on FB but you have come to a much much better forum here. Way less stupid comments if we could just get rid of @Sparky ... We can coach you on saving. LOL! What did I do!! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,841 #10 Posted November 10 Holy Sought after Transmission Case Batman !!! We, on this site, have been talking about date codes in these transmissions lately and here one pops up. Your date code A8-9 means your transmission casting was cast January 8, 1959. Which, if original from factory, means your RJ can be called an "RJ-59". Your 58 RJ had to be assembled in 1959. I would bet all of your gears are in better shape (cleaned up) then most of the gears you might buy. It is worth cleaning them up to find out. Know that you do have the older style mushroom gear, which also means you have the earlier differential with fewer teeth. The mushroom gear looks good, but you want to check the teeth on the bull gear (differential). Take the time to go through that "So You Want to Save that 3 Speed Transmission". Every thing you need to know is in there, including Electrolysis. Ask any questions. Welcome to Red Square. Take plenty of good pictures of all gears and shafts to show us what you have. @Jake Kuhn also come onto this site. 4 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,742 #12 Posted November 10 (edited) 6 hours ago, 8ntruck said: @Achto how did you clean the gears? Wire brush & elbow grease? Electrolysis? Some sort of commerical rust remover solution? Vinager soak? I cleaned them up with solvent to get then perfectly dry. After that I taped the bearing surfaces off with duct tape and then gave 'em a good cleaning in the sand blast cabinet. Bearing surfaces wear them polished up using oil & Scotch Brite. 6 hours ago, WHX?? said: Rat Rod tranny Dan? Yep Edited November 10 by Achto 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,130 #13 Posted November 10 4 hours ago, Sparky said: LOL! What did I do!! I'm sorry I meant Sqounky... 6 hours ago, squonk said: Jake Kuhn on FB has all the gears. That's the easy way out Mike but I get it. In any case please don't scrap them @englertstephen if they can be saved. Heard tell they don't make them anymore. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #14 Posted November 11 Thanks guys. I’m cleaning them up today. I did locate some gears, but I’m saving some serviceable gears for anyone who may need them once I get this one back together. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #15 Posted November 12 Unfortunately they were all trashed pretty bad. The case halves were so rotted they won’t accept new bearings. I was able to locate all the parts needed. I bought this thing Saturday, and it has got expensive really quick. I’m having fun with it though. For now I’m just running a harbor freight engine. I may switch it back to a Clinton or kholer eventually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #16 Posted November 12 On 11/10/2024 at 1:22 PM, stevasaurus said: Holy Sought after Transmission Case Batman !!! We, on this site, have been talking about date codes in these transmissions lately and here one pops up. Your date code A8-9 means your transmission casting was cast January 8, 1959. Which, if original from factory, means your RJ can be called an "RJ-59". Your 58 RJ had to be assembled in 1959. I would bet all of your gears are in better shape (cleaned up) then most of the gears you might buy. It is worth cleaning them up to find out. Know that you do have the older style mushroom gear, which also means you have the earlier differential with fewer teeth. The mushroom gear looks good, but you want to check the teeth on the bull gear (differential). Take the time to go through that "So You Want to Save that 3 Speed Transmission". Every thing you need to know is in there, including Electrolysis. Ask any questions. Welcome to Red Square. Take plenty of good pictures of all gears and shafts to show us what you have. @Jake Kuhn also come onto this site. I was wondering about that 9. I was confused if it is a rj58 or 59 as far as model name was concerned. Is it a 1959 rj58? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,841 #17 Posted November 12 Basically, the RJ-58 was in production for 2 years...1958 & 1959. I guess that means they are all RJ-58"s, but some were built in 1959. So, to answer question...the answer is Yes. Some parts may be different in the 58's and then again in 59. Some of the part changes kept the same part number. This horse, in those years, was an evolutionary process and the company was changing all the time. Remember, these are not Corvettes, they are garden tractors. About the only truth you can hang your hat on...they are all Red...except for the grey ones. The pictures you posted of those don't look that bad. Try electrolisys and then sand blast with plastic bead medium and see the difference. You input gear is supposed to look like that, it is the teeth on the inside that are important. Worn teeth on the inside can cause the trans to pop out of 3rd gear under load. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #18 Posted November 12 I think I have pieced together everything needed. I’m flipping the axle shafts today. Intend to reassemble transmission this weekend using your tutorial. I have painted the frame IH red and mounted the new engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,841 #19 Posted November 12 Outstanding !! Take many pictures to share with us and for yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #20 Posted November 12 FYI guys I found a machine shop that can duplicate some of the gears, and make the axle shafts. The axle shafts are 100$. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,841 #21 Posted November 12 How much money are you looking to put into a 1959 ?? A lot of the gears in that trans are the same gears that are in the early 2 piece transmissions. If you would like to talk, I can give you my phone # in a PM at the top of the page. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #22 Posted November 15 On 11/12/2024 at 2:02 PM, stevasaurus said: How much money are you looking to put into a 1959 ?? A lot of the gears in that trans are the same gears that are in the early 2 piece transmissions. If you would like to talk, I can give you my phone # in a PM at the top of the page. I may PM this weekend. I had to get every gear except the main differential gear. They just crumbled apart. The case halves were so deteriorated that they fell apart when removing the bearings. I wasn’t planning on putting as much money into it as I have, but now that I’m here I’m going to make it right. I’m going to see how good of the shape the gears I ordered are when they get here this weekend. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,130 #23 Posted November 15 Front end is looking good so far! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
englertstephen 12 #24 Posted November 17 Shift forks were locked in, and sadly this January 59 case is trashed. I’m going to take it to the machine shop tomorrow. Hopefully they can weld it. Otherwise I’m looking for a case. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 49,130 #25 Posted November 17 Just posted on your want ad about welding. Now looking at this I think that could be welded or brazed by someone proficient in such skills. If you have the missing piece that is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
