how much extra work did I cause?

[emac]

Replacing the front propeller seals on L3600. Tractor is split seals out and I noticed I had scratched the sleeve on the the shaft. I was working to remove the sleeve and pulled the shaft out of the tranny. Really glad I notice the scratches on the sleeve before putting it back, but suckes I pulled the shaft out!

Whats the best way to get the prop shaft back in place? Remove the transmission at the rear end? Any way to guide it back into place. Surely I am not the only one who has done this, as it came out really easy!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You can put it back in without pulling it apart, I've done it several times.
On some models leave everything off the front side, seals, bearings, sleeves and use a pipe that fits over the shaft to be able to line it back up with the rear coupling.
It takes a little finesse and slowly turning to get it to line up with the rear coupling but it should go back in.

leave the parts in blue off of the shaft till it's in place.

 

[emac]

Thanks, the tip about the pipe that may be very helpful. I hope the coupling is still in place and not in the bottom of the transmission! I will see what I can do, but it doesnt look too hard to take the trans off. Thanks again for the help.

 

[emac]

Success! After about 100 times of trying to slip the shaft into place, I got out the borescope and looked in. The coupler had come loose and was sitting in there. I fed a magnet in and fished it out. Tapped the coupler back on the shaft tight and it slipped right into place. Made my night. Picture from scope for proof