Install Free-Wheeling Control Lever and Transaxle Hydrostatic Pressure Relief Valve

As you might have read in our FAQ, if you have a John Deere X model, we recommend replacing the pressure relief valve, if you tend to drive your tractor hard. If the wheels are not spinning and the engine is wide open, fully engaged in forward, the transmission can be damaged. Follow these instructions to replace a transaxle hydrostatic pressure relief valve.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Existing forward free-wheeling valve on machine must be replaced by transaxle hydrostatic pressure relief valve. This valve protects transaxle from unnecessary stress.

2. Slide seat fully rearward and remove front bolts from seat assembly.

3. Slide seat fully forward and remove rear bolts from seat assembly.

4. Disconnect wiring harness from underside of seat and remove seat assembly.

5. Four-Wheel Drive Machines: Remove cap from shift knob and remove retaining bolt (A) to remove shift knob.

6. Remove two bolts (B) on each side of fender deck, in front of rear wheels.

7. Remove fuel cap.

8. Disconnect wiring harness from underside of fender deck and remove fender deck.

9. Install fuel cap.

10. Remove two olts (C) from fuel tank hold-down bracket.

11. Disconnect wiring harness (D) from fuel pump and remove fuel tank

12. Remove and discard cap nut (E) from free-wheeling valve control lever.

NOTE: Retain plastic cap for new free-wheeling valve control lever.

13. Remove and retain plastic cap (F) from other end of free-wheeling valve control lever.

14. Remove and discard existing free-wheeling valve control lever (G) from machine.

NOTE: Retain washer and spring for new free-wheeling valve control lever.

15. Remove and retain washer (H) and spring (I) from free-wheeling valve control lever.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Clean transaxle before removing valve. Contamination of hydraulic system may cause damage.

16. Remove existing free-wheeling valve (J) from right-hand location.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Use correct transaxle hydrostatic pressure relief valve.

• Two-Wheel Drive Machines: Use BM15043 (AM121248) which has “2WD” stamped on valve.

• Four-Wheel Drive Machines: Use BM15044 (AM122228) which has “4WD” stamped on valve.

17. Install new transaxle hydrostatic pressure relief valve (K).

18. Place original washer (L), then spring (M) on new free-wheeling valve control lever (N).

19. Install new free-wheeling valve control lever on machine.

20. Install cap nut (O) on one end of lever.

21. Install plastic cap (P) on other end of lever.

22. Install fuel tank.

23. Install fender deck.

24. Install seat assembly.

Adapted from John Deere bulletins and forums, links here, here, and here.