John Deere K46 Transmission Removal with Oil and Filter Change Part 2

Part 2 continues with gasket cleanup, gear examination, filter swap, oil fill, reassembly, air purge and testing. There is also a discussion of options in case this does not fix your problem. In high-def 4K video with music.
Disclaimer: This video is for demonstrations purposes only! Pilot View Productions assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Pilot View Productions recommends safe practices when working around electricity or with power tools, electrical equipment, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Pilot View Productions, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Pilot View Productions. Attempt your own repairs only if you can accept personal responsibility for the results.

[@ciphercode2298]

This is hands down the most comprehensive videos on this subject to be found anywhere. The manufacturer themselves couldnt of done better. I thank you greatly sir.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing Cipher Code, and for the kind comments. I tried hard to give the viewer the multiple camera angles and studio lighting to be successful in their own DIY project on this transmission. Dean

[@ciphercode2298]

@@PilotViewProductions I've now watched all 3 videos. I'm watching because I'm looking to buy a riding mower and my John Deere dealer is offering me a used x350 for about the same price as a smaller more residential mower,but it has almost 300 hours on it. It seems to of been garage kept and looks almost new. It has a Kawasaki fr600v engine,48" deck,and is generally very nice. I'm trying to decide and figured it would be time for it to have a transmission service performed if I decide to get it. That's why I watched your first videos. I'd hate to miss out on a new mowers warranty, but I have almost 2 acres to mow and thatd be taxing on their smaller mowers I'd think. I have to be budget minded too,and inflation is killing the market.

[@wsmccull]

Absolutely. I’m an OCD “clean freak” myself, so I can definitely relate.

[@PilotViewProductions]

@@ciphercode2298 what did you end up doing ?

[@ciphercode2298]

@@PilotViewProductions they ended up selling the x350 and i never bought anything else. I've had my cub cadet ltx1040 for a few years and it's an ok mower,but no john deere. I went ahead and sunk some money back into it to tryin get some more life out of it. I put new spindles,deck pulleys,and blades on it and gave it a thorough tune up. I'm gonna tryin get some new tires for it soon because they're getting cracks and leak down some. I dont wanna put to much into it,because it's not entirely worth it. I still want a newer john deere,but its gonna be another year I guess.

[@mandruch]

Great three video series explaining this common problem. Now I'm confident that I can tackle this project.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Excellent. That’s the whole idea. Good luck Michael.

[@86daytonaz]

Absolutely the Best Video on this subject by far!…… thank you so much for making this video. You gave me confidence on doing this on my own. I can’t thank you enough!…👍👍👍

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you. I hope you watch part 3 as well. Dean

[@rodrogers6895]

Definitely one of the best KZbin videos ever made on how to do this procedure

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@teddymac3737]

I use youtube for instructional videos on almost all of my mechanical diy projects. Your videos on the k46 transmission are the best I have seen. Why are they the best? They are the best because you don't skip any steps. You show every step in disassembly and just as important you show every step in reassembly. Nobody and I mean nobody takes the time to show reassembly steps. Most of the other videos skip reassembly all together. Since it is impossible for me to remember all the steps I went through taking the riding lawn mower apart I greatly appreciated you taking time to painstakingly go through every step of reassembly. One of the major things you pointed out in reassembly was to be careful to make sure the support brackets on the transmission cleared the frame. Just this one suggestion saved me a lot of time and frustration. Thank you so much for sharing your talents to help diy guys like myself do this project in a much more streamlined fashion. Two thumbs way up for Pilot View Productions!!!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you so much 'TM' for taking the time to write such a detailed message. As much as I love doing the projects, I like the comments even more when good folks like yourself tell me the video helped them perform the project. It confirms to me that the time and effort wasn't in vain. I'll be honest, there are times when I wonder if anyone cares. Each project I perform, I attack it with the same fervor, but sometimes after hours and days of work and editing from multiple cameras, the video gets very few views. But, its in times like those that I get a comment like yours that just lifts my spirits and I plow on through the next project. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for taking time out to write. Dean

[@william8th]

Exceptional clarity and completeness. Being able to reference the video during reassembly was critical for me. Adding fluid today and hoping to test this afternoon. Thank you.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing and the comments. Hope it works. Dean

[@checkeredpastlast4060]

Probably the best how to video I’ve seen on here! Enjoyed the quiet background music as well;) I’m in the process of rebuilding/ restoring my stepfather’s 2009 Craftsman YTS4500 which now has a little over 900 hours. Not sure how well the frames are made on the JD’s but they’re weak & thin on mine. Have had to repair several cracks on the steering tower, in & around both axles, along with several serious cracks on the 54” mower deck brackets where the linkage(s) attach. This bumpy & hilly acre & a half has really taken its toll on it, e.g. toed out front wheels, loose steering, stripped out &/or bolts that have fallen out, cracks along with more cracks, linkages worn thru etc. Anyway, it’s finally all coming together now & your video is a big help to me, along with many others I’m sure, to put the icing on the cake so to speak. I’ve redone just about everything from the front to the back & this is the last part on the mechanical side of things before I finish the paint job that I started when the 2021 mowing season ended. Thanks again!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing. Sounds like you’ve had your hands full so far but I’m glad the end is in sight. I hope you don’t stop watching with part 2 and are able to finish with Part 3 of this series. Good luck with your future projects. I don’t have many Craftsman mower projects cept for an edger but I got plenty of J.Deere stuff that I hope will help you. Dean

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Excellent multi-part instructions 👍. None better on this topic on YT.

[@martinradtke5181]

Your cleanliness makes reassembly so much easier to follow and verify. I’m a clean freak myself and also take pictures as I go along. I also put parts in marked boxes to prevent mixing up bolts. I’m old school🤓

[@PilotViewProductions]

Old school is the best Martin. And it’s easier for me doing the videos to look back at them during reassembly. That said, I am a bit of a clean freak myself. Most times it takes me more time to clean up the objects in question for the video presentation than it does to perform the fix. Lol. Thanks for commenting and of course, for viewing. Dean

[@jimlinehan6473]

My L130 has been whining and struggling until it pretty much stopped moving last Fall. Wishing I had researched this a few years ago. BUT, I dragged it out into the middle of th garage this weekend and followed the steps and removed the backend. Covered in dirt, blasted it with a hose, degreaser, etc. Drained, and refilled using 5W50. Magnet had plenty of fine stuff but not as bad as I've seen in some videos here. Tipping the axle up on one tire then the next, then spun the fan while holding the drive lever, etc. Topped off, put it back together and presto! Forward and reverse once again, with seemingly more power than it's had in recent years. Managed to forget to put the magnet back in but will happily pull it off again this weekend knowing that the fluid replacement seemed to do the trick. Mine's 18 or 19 years old 250 hours on it, and this is the first time the transmission has been dealt with. Was sure it was going to need a rebuild or replacement. Thanks for your video. Watching this one and a couple others made it possible for me to work on something I didn't have the know-how to do.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Man, that’s a greatttt success story!! Congrats on your success and thanks for the comment.

[@ericpigg2689]

I watched all the way through, only to find out all of that work did not fix the original issue. Thanks for being honest. Watching this, I have decided to part my John Deere out.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Before you do, please check out Part 3. You might just decide to go that route.

[@ddfpv6445]

This is without a doubt the best instructional video I have ever watched thanks for taking the time to do it !!!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you very much. I hope you will stick around for Part 3-the finale. Dean

[@ddfpv6445]

@@PilotViewProductions will do I just bought a ride on last month but unfortunately knew nothing about the transmissions in them and found out I had the dreaded K46 so will probably be following your videos for a long time bahaha

[@kevinanderson3366]

Hello from your neighbor in Mount Airy. I’ve got the same issues happening to my 7yr old John Deere. Im thinking about just getting the new transaxle.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Be sure and check out part 3 before you decide. And howdy neighbor.

[@wolfen1086]

Very Informative and complete, I have a Brand new 2023 X339 with a K64, now I know how to change the oil and filter, thank you VERY much

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing and I’m glad it helped. Hope I can talk you into subscribing for more videos. Dean

[@donniem9807]

Excellent videos, very detailed, thanks for taking the time to post these

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for watching

[@johnjeffers3050]

You are an excellent teacher. Thank you

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you John. Means a lot.

[@stephenrichard9278]

Great Camera work to go with great audio and concise information!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks Stephen

[@Sone2691]

Excellent step by step instructions.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks hope you will view part 3. Dean

[@android9285]

Excellent video. . . top quality!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for watching and for the comments Android. Dean

[@96lapiscoupe1]

Awesome series. My 3 year old E130 has the K46 death rattle. I’m gonna try it this weekend. 😊

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing and for commenting. Please watch Part 3 if you can. Dean

[@gerardlunow567]

Very nice video. Everything nice and clean.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks Gerard

[@Bediasman]

Another great how to video. Thank you, on to #3

[@PilotViewProductions]

I think you'll appreciate #3....hope so anyways.

[@gdurso1]

Great video!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thank you

[@timdavison2417]

Great job. I have a D160 to do! Thank you!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Good luck with it. Thanks for the compliments and thanks for watching.

[@alandust2188]

FYI Tuff Torq now recommends TUFF TECH Oil 187Q0899000 (3 liter) which is a Synthetic 5W50 for some of their transmissions.

[@michell7416]

Merci pour cette superbe vidéo, claire et très précise

[@PilotViewProductions]

Vous êtes les bienvenus et merci d'avoir regardé. Doyen

[@lyleswavel320]

Why did I enjoy this so much, satisfying, I'd a gave $100 more for tractor if tuff torq would put drain plug and filter accessible on rear of transaxle, engineers must realize we like are filters and oil changed no matter how many hours the tractor has on it

[@PilotViewProductions]

Hope you watch all 3 parts. Dean

[@jamtin3977]

Excellent educational video, thankyou very much. 🖐🇦🇺

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing. Hope you watch all 3 parts and maybe subscribe too. Dean

[@jamtin3977]

@@PilotViewProductions my zero turn mower gradually lost forward/backward drive, made same groaning noises as your machine. Dealer advised, transmission was non serviceable, that I buy 2 new hydrostatic transmissions. Zero turn has 2 separate transmissions. There was an oil filler plug at the top of the transmission but no drain plug. I drilled holes in bottom of the casings at lowest points, drained old oil out, tap threads, screwed plugs with copper washers as drain plugs. Filled both my transmissions up, zero turn is like new again. Only thing is I didn't strip transmissions down to replace oil filters.

[@jefffrayer8238]

@@jamtin3977 I always thought it could be done that way, glad it worked for you.

[@MilkywaySoulTribe]

great video very helpful thanks

[@PilotViewProductions]

Hope you’ll watch part 3. Thanks Dean

[@benjhind]

Wow very thorough! Mine was slightly different to remove due to different model tractor but this helped a ton

[@PilotViewProductions]

Glad it helped and thanks for watching and commenting

[@thatoneguy2756]

@@PilotViewProductions I followed this tutorial on my k46 but mine had 3 magnets in bottom and one on top at fill port. Even after the bleed procedure ( transmission bubble leveled) I could only get in 2qts, plus 150ml. This gave me a 3/4 inch height from top of case fill port to oil. Also, I used Mobil 1 15w50 as I have never been impressed with the fluid they call for. Mine has 115 hrs on it and the magnets all looked great but the fluid was nasty and had metal sheen when stirred. Reverse was getting a tad weak on mine, now it's strong again. Thank you.

[@geecrawdad]

Excellent!

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

I have a 2021 Craftsman T240 with the K46 Tuff torq hydrostatic transmission steel gears..I put 15w50 full synthetic in works great

[@PilotViewProductions]

Would probably have worked great in this one if we had ever changed the oil. Before I began watching KZbin videos, I believed the hype that this transmission was unserviceable.

[@lunalimonlimon]

yupiii....video wahooo

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

The Cast Aluminum housing is very strong and durable

[@PilotViewProductions]

I also have an X320 J.Deere which has the TuffTorq K58 transmission that is experiencing the same issues as the K46.

[@tszymk77]

Very good video, but I doubt the pre-lubing of the gears does anything except add extra work.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Wasn't that much work, especially if it made even 1% difference

[@ghibliinu6616]

This was great detail thanks! Why do you think this tranny failed? The lubricant that couldn't be maintained perhaps? Just wore out.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Yes, the viscosity just breaks down after a while, like any oil.

[@petersherrouse33]

Pro vid dude! :-) Any chance one could just remove the lower cover from below (and get it back on) without removing the transmission? That would allow a full fluid change, the filter change and cleaning of the lower magnet. I guess I could try it and worse thing that could happen is I have to pull the trans to get it back together.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing. Although yours is a novel idea, I think you’re going to end up with a mess of oil everywhere in addition to a set of gears on the left side that come out. This, in addition to a look of bewilderment as to what happened. Not to mention an almost impossible angle in which to clean the gasket material from the two halves. That’s just my opinion.

[@Hugeroost]

Sir, I have an L130 w same tranny. I did this but went ahead and changed the filter while I had it down. It looked really clean inside, all the gears etc it was about half full and the fluid was nasty though. When I turn it over w my drill it dont spin near like yours does, plus I can't get all the fluid I. It either but it's close. I'm half afraid to put it back on the machine now, what do you think. I'm now thinking about draining 16oz of fluid and putting a bottle of that Lucas sealer for power steering pumps etc. That is really good stuff and I figure I don't have much to lose. Thanks, Roost

[@PilotViewProductions]

Before you do, check out part 3

[@Hugeroost]

@@PilotViewProductions I sure will and get back to ya

[@jefffrayer8238]

I'm going to do the oil change plus add Lucas as well. Great stuff. Had a leaky, noisy power steering pump that NAPA said try that 1st. Lucas fixed it fast and like new 20,000 miles later when I sold it.

[@lh98]

There’s several models of the K46 and they don’t all take the same oil. This video ended up confusing me because of those differences. I have a K46BR that is a bit different than what’s shown here. The magnet doesn’t have a holder like yours it has just a slot and it’s doesn’t have spacers under the fan either. It also has 3 more magnets inside the trans. I sure hope using a different oil isn’t a vital thing...

[@PilotViewProductions]

I suspect you'll be just fine. You can go to the TuffTorq website and check on yours if you're concerned about it. They have a chart.

[@chrislovelace8957]

Any word on the rebuild out of Canada? Mine is doing the exact same thing.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Watch the Part 3 finale Chris, or click the link at the end of Part 2 or subscribe and you'll find it easier probably. Thanks for viewing.

[@chrislovelace8957]

@@PilotViewProductions thank you, I found part three after I sent this to you. Thanks for getting back to me

[@metal422life]

Dose the d140 have a transmission filter

[@PilotViewProductions]

If it's Tuff Torq, then yes

[@dclawnmaintenanceandsnowre4099]

Would it be the same as a la115 John Deere

[@PilotViewProductions]

Should be yes. Check the transmission model printed on the axle or on the bottom cover.

[@michaelbenson2597]

What were the results of the ebay rebuilder?

[@PilotViewProductions]

Michael, check out Part 3 please. I'm a tease.

[@petegolfpi3940]

How do you get .4 of a quart equals 19 ozs. A half a quart is .5 and equals 16 ozs. so .4 would be 12.8 oz. Other than that error it was a great video.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Fortunately, this is not a fatal miscalculation. 1: It can be observed just a few seconds after the final refill that the oil level ironically measures 3/4 to 1 inch below the top surface, the recommended level and 2: Unlike overfill of a car engine, there is no crankshaft to dip into the oil overfill and cause foaming and the pressure doesn't exist inside this case to cause seal failure (both because of the design...all parts are 'already' bathed in oil and due to the relief valve at the top of the tranny). Actually, if there is a mistake to be made, better to slightly overfill and let the relief valve spit out the overage, than to underfill and not be in a position to top it off without going thru the removal of the tranny all over again.

[@gosselinsergegs]

Why did you do all that

[@PilotViewProductions]

As opposed to…?

[@donfoust9489]

Can u supply info on the Canadian guy?address/email ,thanks Don 😊

[@PilotViewProductions]

I left a link in the description section of this video if you’re viewing on a computer. Thanks, Dean

[@tedschmitt178]

$115 for someone else to rebuild it sounds like a deal.

[@PilotViewProductions]

Agreed Ted. Thanks for watching.

[@aceallenk]

Your pulley goes on before the fan. Does on my T40J JD LA145. You might want to reference that before placing your belt

[@PilotViewProductions]

It didn’t in my case. This was the configuration when I bought it.

[@michaelhoffman7970]

Great videos thankyou mhof_58

[@PilotViewProductions]

Thanks for viewing