Driveshaft shaking

[rednax]

I finally got my 184 going , but the engine slows down when I press the clutch and the driveshaft shakes. It has a new u-joint and the transmission isn't shaking. I suspect the driveshaft isn't inserted into the driven disk correctly. Also, are the clutch release levers supposed to move anything when the release bearing pushes them in? I think that the clutch plates might be stuck together. It seems like the snow is waiting for me to get my tractor fixed

[outdoors4evr]

That driveshaft shows some wear. Since the driveshaft doesn't really move forward or aft, I would guess that it used to ride further forward and is not seated all the way into the pilot bearing.
Loosen the pressure plate bolts.
Depress the clutch and tie in the down position.
Loosen the U-Joint set screws.
Turn and wiggle on that drive shaft until you can get it to move forward and seat into the pilot bearing.

Once seated, tighten everything back up and release the clutch.

[outdoors4evr]

Note: If you have replaced the pilot bearing recently, it may need to be reamed to size to allow the driveshaft to fit.

[Urbish]

That driveshaft shows some wear. Since the driveshaft doesn't really move forward or aft, I would guess that it used to ride further forward and is not seated all the way into the pilot bearing.
Loosen the pressure plate bolts.
Depress the clutch and tie in the down position.
Loosen the U-Joint set screws.
Turn and wiggle on that drive shaft until you can get it to move forward and seat into the pilot bearing.

Once seated, tighten everything back up and release the clutch.

I second this. I had to double-check the drive shaft engagement at the flywheel when I rebuilt the creeper drive in my 184. It is easy to set the shaft too far into the U-joint and not far enough into the pilot bearing.

[BigBill]

On my #3 154 I found the splined almost worn off the disc with the pilot bearing worn too.
Luckily I had a new clutch setup with drive shaft from hamiltonbobs cubs.

Funny I was plowing snow before I fixed the clutch. It would only plow with the creeper in low. The clutch was slipping. I found two broken springs in the pressure plate. The clutch never slips with one spring with the creeper.

[rednax]

I'm my 184 apart to restore it and this is what's left of the pilot bearing. The rest was stuck to the flywheel. There's lots of stuff on this tractor that's really worn.
An unrelated question: If I can move the connecting rods parallel to the crankshaft, is the problem caused by worn connecting rods or worn bearings?
Thanks

[Eugene]

An unrelated question: If I can move the connecting rods parallel to the crankshaft, is the problem caused by worn connecting rods or worn bearings?

Slight sideways movement of the connecting rods on the crankshaft is normal/expected.

Question. How much sideways movement do you have?

[Gary Dotson]

Connecting rods require a little side clearance. I haven't looked at the C-60 spec. but it's generally in the .006" - .010" range, with a pretty wide tolerance. An engine I worked on recently had a tolerance of .006" - .020". It's not a real critical clearance but can have a small effect on oil pressure. In order to cool the bearings, oil must be able to pass through, the side clearance allows that to happen.