Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere L100 transaxle, john deere transaxle

Question
I have a John Deere L100 riding lawn mower. The transaxle / transmission is grinding and slipping inside and therefore not allowing the machine to go forward. The transaxle is a John Deere part # AM131576 which crosses to a Spicer 4360-149. Can I purchase the gears for the inside or (as I have been told by the JD Dealer) I have to replace the entire transaxle? Thanks, Jim

Answer
I'm not a Spicer dealer and don't know all their prices.  I can say that I would want to tear it down before trying to price parts.  It's usually not the gears themselves causing the problem, it's usually a shaft or bearing/bushing.  Also, oftentimes it's just not economical to try and rebuild tranaxles.  Usually, if there's a problem due to wear, then other parts are near failure too.  So spending a couple hundred dollars attempting a repair may be money wasted if another major problem develops soon afterwards.

My shop's policy is to rebuild Hydro-stats, we're a Hydro-Gear Service Center, and replace most gear-driven transaxles.

Hope this helps.  Thanks, PK.