How To Replace Drive Belt and Idler Pulleys For Transaxle On Craftsman Riding Mower YS4500

[@pricklythistle1]

Best video I've seen showing a drive belt replacement. I'll be tackling this job come spring, thanks.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielshuga4913]

My belt broke and your video was the only one showing which side to put the belt on by the steering shaft. Great video

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@hitman82gaming]

I just replaced the drive belt on my Craftsman YT4000, same belt and pulleys, 42" deck. I was able to replace the belt without removing the PTO pulleys or damaging the plastic cooling fins on the transmission. Removed the belt from the front drive pulley and left it slack, removed from guides and idler pulleys (two V and one flat). Then carefully removed the belt from transmission pulley, and finally pulled it forwards and down over the mower deck pulley on the PTO. Reversed the process with the new belt, it took a few minutes to work it over the transmission as the old plastic fins are likely brittle. Success, and no tools needed other than deck removal. The idler pulleys looked and felt fine, easy enough to replace when needed. Your video was a big help, thank you for providing it.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah some of them you can do this depending on the model and design. Glad you got it done! Thanks for watching!

[@Keith_Graham]

I do it the same way I don't even remove the deck just pull the front deck pin jack it up. Plenty of clearance and no tools needed. Helpful video.

[@papawayne700]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise! Great video!

[@IndRepair]

I am glad to assist. Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve worked on the same mowers for 25 years and I’ve AllWAYS put antizee on shafts and bolts Makes it easier the next time ❤

[@IndRepair]

Definitely great advice!

[@Serpico1152]

Thanks you did a great job! I did this exact procedure on my 2013 Craftsman YT-3000 back in 2020 when it had just turned a little over 600 hours because the idler pulley was squealing terribly and would stop when I pushed the petal pushed in slightly so for piece of mind and extended time until further maintenance I elected to replace all 3 pulleys and the belt too while discovering that the flat pulley had a very bad worn flat area on it causing the problem, and yes that flat pulley bolt guide would not line up for me either so I had to remove the spring too which stopped very short of causing me a mental breakdown trying to hook it back to the frame rail until I used a loop in a piece of small HD wire to pull it back into the slot, I saw on one of "Repair Clinics" videos where he wedged a large screwdriver somewhere back behind the bottom of the steering column over top of the bolt head to hold it in place securely to avoid having to go through what you and I both did, but they never really showed a real good close up picture of it to understand where and how exactly. They should include a leaf blower with every new tractor purchase and instruct the owners how to properly clean their mowers off so they would never become packed underneath with grass clippings!

[@IndRepair]

Awesome stuff! I agree they should at least give you the advice to clean it! That idea would get someone demoted and cost the companys millions so it will never happen unfortunately! Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

Yep

[@ALCE52]

its called Shadetree Mechanic,im a proud member.using a screwdriver is classic .ask Your dad.

[@donalddillon9258]

Excellent video and outside job and illustrations!💯✅👏🏼 I had no choice but to subscribe to your channel after this video!!!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching and for your words of encouragement!

[@donalddillon9258]

@@IndRepair yes indeed because no one does it better!💯

[@karlschwab6437]

I have seen other videos where rhe lawn tractor (MTD type), lay them on their side to change the belts. Your thoughts please?

[@IndRepair]

I never do this bad idea for a few different reasons. Lifting the front so it sits almost straight up and down is the best access in my opinion

[@philliphall5198]

Thank You for your information and advice 😊

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaellee1002]

Excellent video and explanation.

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@davenelson2901]

enjoyed your video...man you sound just like stuart randall sheriff in western laramie........pretty cool

[@IndRepair]

Haha no idea who that is but thanks for watching!

[@suzieq8379]

I take the leaf blower and blow my mower and deck off each time I mow.. no build up

[@IndRepair]

I do the same and never have any buildup either but if you don't do it you can be in for some unforseen problems sooner rather than later. Thanks for watching!

[@mrchrisknight315]

How did you get that pto to unscrew? When I tried. It would just turn the engine over.

[@IndRepair]

You will have to use an impact or keep the engine from turning

[@danagardner6060]

Thank you

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching!

[@COC785]

I didn't have a spring puller so I hooked the spring to a jack to expand it and slid pennies and dimes between the coils to keep it stretched for reinstall lol. Pain in the !$@ but it worked lol.

[@IndRepair]

Haha, however you can get it done is the right way! Nice work!

[@philliphall5198]

I need that bumber 😢

[@melvinhogge1126]

I will be replacing the idler pulleys and belt on my Craftsman YTS 3000 do any of you know What drive belt I need?

[@IndRepair]

@melvinhogge1126 I would double check to make sure your model number under the seat matches with 917.289223 but if it does the belt can be purchased at amzn.to/4cuQrSv

[@MD-ls2jf]

How did you stop the engine pulley from spinning when removing the bolt from.the central stalk? I've been unable to remove that bolt because the entire pulley assembly spins as I ratchet

[@IndRepair]

An impact wrench is most often times the only easy way

[@bobrebera494]

nice job

[@IndRepair]

Thanks!

[@Popwarner-x1w]

I have the newest model. Its called the Craftsman Denali 5000. 😅

[@IndRepair]

Lol does it have the spinners or just the regular caps?

[@GiordanosGarage]

Great video, thanks!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sstjacques]

I have a DYS 4500, bought in 2007, looks the same, even same color.

[@IndRepair]

Good to know!! Thanks for watching!

[@Countryboy198032]

Have an 07 Ys 4500 myself. My trans belt just went out on mine. Can’t complain about it. It has lasted almost 16 years.

[@donaldstepp4850]

Mine is stuck on the steering wheel axel, do I just cut the belt and route like yours?

[@IndRepair]

If it was working before you probably have a little different model and may need to remove the steering shaft

[@garycamus6421]

I have a GT6000 craftsman and the steering column goes thru the drive belt. Is this correct or has someone installed it incorrectly?

[@IndRepair]

Many units the steering rod does have to be removed to install the belt

[@philliphall5198]

I need that type of belt guard under engine to keep deck belt on It’s missing on mine ???

[@IndRepair]

They will help keep the belt on!

[@bobray8346]

How long is the drive belt

[@IndRepair]

I am not sure, just buy the OEM belt so you do not have issues. Look it up with the model number under the seat

[@MD-ls2jf]

Did you remove the steering rod before the belt came off?

[@IndRepair]

I am not sure it has been a while, believe it is in there somewhere

[@MD-ls2jf]

@@IndRepair I don't see it in this video, it jumps from removing the Pulley to.clesning the undercarriage, then removing the belt. Do you have a video that demonstrates how to remove the steering rod?

[@IndRepair]

This is a different design than what you have then. Is yours more like the one at kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6qklKV6bq2pnMU This shows how to remove the bushing and such but there are many different designs to tell for sure I would need the model number

[@siryessir526]

I noticed you replaced 3 pulleys but you mentioned only 2 part numbers. What is the 3rd part number?

[@IndRepair]

2 are the same number

[@danielpadgett2831]

I would have cleaned the deck off before putting it back on

[@IndRepair]

Wasnt really dirty just some surface debris. We power wash everything before it goes back so it was taken care of before returning. Thanks for watching!

[@danielpadgett2831]

@@IndRepair oh ok great video thank you for sharing

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Hopefully someone gets some use out of it

[@danielpadgett2831]

@@IndRepair I'm sure someone definitely will

[@philliphall5198]

Replacing all the idealers at one time is best and will last other 5/10 years

[@IndRepair]

We always try to recommend it but so often people want to save a few bucks then I do it again for them as a whole like it should have been done in a year or two!

[@sparky7237]

​'' ,let l Mmml

[@philliphall5198]

@@IndRepairyep money is tight but like you I try to explain it will save them in the long run when they may not have any money

[@IndRepair]

@@philliphall5198 absolutely!!

[@mub.lakers4life]

What size belt is it

[@IndRepair]

I would look it up by your model number. Only use an OEM replacement in my opinion for these. This one was part number 532130969

[@eliezargonzalez3206]

Cómo quitar el motor craftsma ys4500

[@IndRepair]

This video we did has the same engine. Same removal process for the engine. Thanks for watching! Https://m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYSWq42rmbRpeas

[@philliphall5198]

Main thing is to take pictures before you take it apart

[@IndRepair]

Helps a lot if you do not know where stuff goes back to!

[@beege1968]

Cadillac with Mercedes emblem 😂

[@IndRepair]

Can't really believe it has taken someone so long to make this comment! Haha!

[@beege1968]

@@IndRepair noticed it immediately... 😂

[@nvrlate2220]

Actually it's a mercedes.....

[@IndRepair]

Lol you don't say

[@philliphall5198]

Why are people so lazy not to clean under there mowers ?? It will save them hundreds of dallors and less they have to work at regular jobs

[@IndRepair]

People are inherently lazy about most things which makes more work or costs more money depending on who does the work

[@bullbutter9699]

Pain in the ass , why no belt free mowers same tech for 80 yrs

[@IndRepair]

Sure is! It is the cheapest way to do it, higher end models use hydraulics for everything. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethhuff8296]

Answer the phone

[@IndRepair]

Lol we do what we can do when we can do it phone can wait for a minute

[@conanhall1]

28 minute video should have taken 3 - 5. Thank gawd for FF.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching...

[@slipperyjohnson7016]

I have never once removed the front pulley to replace any belts on any mower I've had. This is an unnecessary step.

[@IndRepair]

Almost all of them have some sort of tabs around the front pulley to keep the belt on and must be removed before installing the drive belt unless you want to pry them out and have issues with the belt not staying on later

[@slipperyjohnson7016]

@@IndRepair It's actually easier that way. I have never had a belt slip off. On that model it's a metal bracket that just comes off with one bolt. It's pretty easy

[@IndRepair]

This one is removable but most are built into the frame. Thanks for watching!

[@slipperyjohnson7016]

@@IndRepair Ok man