1257 transmission help.

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

Good evening.

I picked up a 1257 today. The owners says it ran but TBD. 
The main issue is it will only roll so far (maybe a foot) and the transmission will lock up. The rod going through the transmission from the brake drum to the other side moves up and down for some reason. I think I’m missing something there.

Also, the shifter is loose but we kinda got it tighten but the screw is a little messed up so I need a new one of those.

And best part when the transmission tipped water came out. (Yay!!)

Hopefully you guys can help.

I will get some pictures tommorow.

[953 nut 62,565]

Sounds like the nut has come off one of the differential bolts. Don't force it or you may bust something inside.

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

18 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Sounds like the nut has come off one of the differential bolts. Don't force it or you may bust something inside.

Thanks.

I think our plan is to open it up tommorow.

[ebinmaine 74,934]

10 hours ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

open it up

 

This is the way. 

Getting in there and verifying the actual issue. Repair as needed.  

Whatever you find, the parts are available. 

[stevasaurus 23,490]

This should be the #5058 bevel gear differential transmission.  Along with the bolts, you have roll pins in the differential.  Take pictures please.  

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

So I have verified it’s missing this bearing too. I ordered this from WH parts and more.

Does the bearing get put in from the inside or the outside of the case?

[stevasaurus 23,490]

From the outside toward the inside.  The bearing is pressed or tapped in enough to make room for the seal (1/8").  A cap bearing is pressed or tapped in until flush with the ounside of casting.  

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

Today we dug into it.

First got the hub and drive pulley off.

Then got the hitch pin to move some so we will smash the rest of that out tommorow.

Then drained the water from the transmission 

and soaked all the bolts so we can remove the transmission tommorow and really dig into it.

And in one of the pictures you can see how the brake rod is missing that bearing

Here’s the pics!

[953 nut 62,565]

Great hub puller.                           Looking forward to your progress.

[stevasaurus 23,490]

Actually, missing that cap bearing could be causing your locked up trans issue.  The large gear on that shaft is on that end, just on the other side of that hole there.    Great pictures...thanks

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

So I’m kinda glad we pulled the transmission.

Look at the pictures 

@stevasaurus I think you are right. Nothing else seems to be broken. Hopefully the bearing will be here by Thursday. I have the gears and parts socking right now to hopefully clean them. Tommorow I’m going to fully clean the transmission and the inside.

 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

Ok another question

Is it ok if I just use some simple green to clean the inside of the transmission and then spray it with brake and parts cleaner after it’s all clean?

 

[WHX?? 53,079]

If that's all you have that's fine. As long as you get any big chunks of stuff and loose rust off. Give it a good blow out with the air compressor if possible. Be careful not to over spin the 1533s with the air. 

On 9/28/2025 at 12:14 PM, stevasaurus said:

cap bearing is pressed or tapped in until flush with the ounside of casting

You sure it's not flush with the inside Steve? 

[kpinnc 15,931]

Is that a bevel gear differential?

 

That tranny should clean up nice. You did good being easy with it. Makes me wonder how that bearing popped out?

[squonk 44,740]

I would have cleaned everything before ordering anything.  You never know what might be lurking in the other bearings under the crud. That bearing left the chat by locking up and destroying itself or rot. The other bearings can't be too far behind. 

Edited September 30 by squonk

[stevasaurus 23,490]

@WHX?? ...flush with the outside Jim...I am positive.  

@kpinnc...yes, that endplate gives it away...1 1/8" axles too.

@TonyToro Jr....I would not use brake fluid inside the transmission.  That stuff will be caustic to the seals if traces are still there.  Better to use diesel fuel or kerosene.  I would also take apart that differential and clean that also.  If the other bearings are good, I would still change out all 4 the seals.  

[953 nut 62,565]

22 hours ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

Ok another question

Is it ok if I just use some simple green to clean the inside of the transmission and then spray it with brake and parts cleaner after it’s all clean?

 

I would avoid both simple green and brake cleaner inside of a transaxle. Mineral Spirits would be the way to go in my opinion.

[ebinmaine 74,934]

3 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

brake cleaner

 

I've been known to use brake clean to get a bearing spotless but I  also use spray oil right after.  

Dry bearing no happy happy.  

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

13 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

I would avoid both simple green and brake cleaner inside of a transaxle. Mineral Spirits would be the way to go in my opinion.

Yep I didn’t I just used a rag, and the air hose and a nylon brush for and got it the best I could

All new bearings ordered from WH parts and more so now we are at a standstill for now

Once we get it running and driving I am going to run it for a hour or so and drain it again.

Edited September 30 by TonyToro Jr.

[squonk 44,740]

Since you are replacing all the bearings and seals, you can clean the case and gears with whatever you desire. I used Dawn degreaser and Power wash on the 2  3 spds I did. Then brake cleaner on all the gears to get all the grit out of the teeth. Then a light coat of oil or assembly lube to keep from rusting until the parts arrive.

 

As far as bearing depth, Before disassembly I used a depth gauge on the bearing caps to the outer edge  on both transmissions and they were recessed about 1/16th of an inch

Edited October 2 by squonk

[stevasaurus 23,490]

Well, it looks like a depth of new cap bearings discussion is in order.    So be it.  

 

To be fair to @TonyToro Jr. , I suggest we start a new topic and not ruin his thread.  The cap bearing issue is common to all of the Wheel Horse manual and auto transmissions, and since there seems to be no resourse from Wheel Horse clearifying the issue, it will be up to us and our common since and experience to determine the correct depth of placement of the "Cap Bearing".

   Gentlemen, let's have the discussion we can all be proud of that effects all of us who have re-built one of these excellent transmissions.  

Link is here.

 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

5 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Well, it looks like a depth of new cap bearings discussion is in order.    So be it.  

 

To be fair to @TonyToro Jr. , I suggest we start a new topic and not ruin his thread.  The cap bearing issue is common to all of the Wheel Horse manual and auto transmissions, and since there seems to be no resourse from Wheel Horse clearifying the issue, it will be up to us and our common since and experience to determine the correct depth of placement of the "Cap Bearing".

   Gentlemen, let's have the discussion we can all be proud of that effects all of us who have re-built one of these excellent transmissions.  

Link is here.

 

Thank you for making a new thread Steve.

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

Parts have shipped and will be here Monday. Thanks @wheelhorseman!

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

@stevasaurus Do you have a YouTube video on how to out a 3 speed back together? The pictures I took don’t really show everything.

[TonyToro Jr. 2,157]

So today we put all new bearings in the transmission.

Tommorow put it all back into the tractor and then onto the engine!