184 PTO Clutch Issues

[ibdilbert]

I picked up this 184 and have been going over it doing some repairs. I'm not familiar with the 184s and am questioning the clutch. The top of the PTO belts are dragging on one of the springs (My finger is pointing to it in the picture). The housing (cage) seems to float with one corner sitting on the frame, is this normal? Does it look like the stock clutch?

[seahaul]

There is a thin metal strap attached to one corner of the cage to prevent it from rotating and riding against the frame. It is often broken due to being so thin.

[Gary Dotson]

I can’t make out much from the pics, it’s tough getting good pics of something like that, and I haven’t messed with one for a very long time but I’d look into the retainer stray, as Seahaul mentioned. It’s pretty tough steel but fatigue can cause eventual failure.