BLN-10169

IHT M15

IHT M15 Differential Replacement

PURPOSE:
This bulletin is intended to give instructions for replacement of a differential gear set and/or a ring
gear and pinion gear shaft assembly in the IHT M15.

Transmission must be removed from the vehicle, oil drained, and the exterior cleaned before performing this service procedure. After disassembly, thoroughly clean all gasket surfaces. Replace all
gaskets and seal included with service kit(s).
Refer to figure one for component identification numbers used throughout this procedure.

PARTS REQUIRED:
The instructions in this bulletin are for any of the following kits. Use table below to determine which
kit are necessary for your repair.
Differential Kit

Ring and Pinion Kit

Differential Kit w/ Ring and Pinion

Right Hand Pinion

4510279

4510280

4510282

Left Hand Pinion

4510279

4510281

4510283

Filter

Fig. 1 Drain Plug Location

Fig. 2 Filter Location

Copyright 1998, Sauer-Danfoss Company. All rights reserved. Contents subject to change. Printed in U.S.A.

Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

The components of each kit are listed below and on the next page. Refer to figures 3 & 4.
4510279 Differential Kit, IHT
Consisting of:
BLN-10169 Instructions
5000021
Seal-Lip, 25.0 SFT x 47.0 OD x 7.0 mm
9700929
Filter, IHT
3104231
Differential Assembly with Bearings
Consisting of:
3104232
Differential Assembly without Ring Gear
5000014
Bearing Cone
5000015
Bearing Cup
3103624
Gasket - Front Cover, IHT
3103631
Gasket - Axle Housing, IHT
5000412
Screw - Hex FLG M8 x 30 - 10.9
3103991
Shim
3103993
Shim
4510280 Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT (RH Pinion)
Consisting of:
BLN-10169 Instructions
5000518
Nut-Hex Lock M20 DIN 985-6
5000528
Washer - .797 X 1.281 Special Hardened
3104233
Rear Gear Assembly
Consisting of:
3104234
Ring and Pinion Assembly
5000227
Bearing Ball
5000526
Hex Screw, M10 X 1.5 X 16
5000399
Screw-Soc Hd Torx, M8 X 25 - 10.9 SPCL
3103620
Gasket - Housing, IHT
4510281 Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT (LH Pinion)
Consisting of:
BLN-10169 Instructions
5000518
Nut-Hex Lock M20 DIN 985-6
5000528
Washer - .797 X 1.281 Special Hardened
3104235
Rear Gear Assembly
Consisting of:
3104236
Ring and Pinion Assembly
5000227
Bearing Ball
5000526
Hex Screw, M10 X 1.5 X 16
5000399
Screw-Soc Hd Torx, M8 X 25 - 10.9 SPCL
3103620
Gasket - Housing, IHT

1 ea.
1
1
1
1

ea.
ea.
ea.
ea.

1 ea.
2 ea.
2 ea.
1 ea.
2 ea.
6 ea.
2 ea.
4 ea.
1 ea.
1
1
1
1

ea.
ea.
ea.
ea.

1 ea.
1 ea.
10 ea.
6 ea.
1 ea.

1 ea.
1 ea.
1 ea.
1 ea.
1 ea.
1 ea.
10 ea.
6 ea.
1 ea.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

4510282 Differential w/ Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT (Right Hand)

Consisting of:
4510279
Differential Kit, IHT
4510280
Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT

1 ea.
1 ea.

4510283 Differential w/ Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT (Left Hand)

Consisting of:
4510279
Differential Kit, IHT
4510281
Ring and Pinion Kit, IHT

1 ea.
1 ea.

COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION:

Fig. 3 IHT Pinion Gear Assembly

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Lock Nut
Washer
Small Pinion Bearing
Spacer
Drive Gear
Bearing Retainer
Bearing Retainer Screw
Pinion Gear Shaft and Bearing Assembly
Hydraulic Housing Gasket

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Fig. 4 IHT Gear Housing Assembly

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.

Axle
Auxiliary Mounting Pad
Clutch / Brake
Front Cover
Snap Ring
PTO Shaft Seal
PTO Shaft Bearing
Differential Bearing Clamp
Differential
Differential Bearing Carrier
Shim
Ring Gear
Gear Housing
Left Side Bearing Cup
Right Side Bearing Cup
O-Ring
Front Cover Gasket
Axle Gasket
Ring Gear Screw

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

PROCEDURE:

Note: Refer to fig's 3 and 4 for assembly

sequence numbers, (shown in
parenthesis) used throughout this
procedure.

1.

If an auxiliary pump (not shown) is installed on the auxiliary mounting pad,

remove it.

2.

Remove the auxiliary mounting pad (11)

(or cover) from the front cover. (Fig.5)

3.

Fig. 5 Removing the auxiliary mounting pad

cover.

Using a 5mm internal hex wrench, remove the 6 screws securing the clutch /
brake assembly (12) to the front cover.
(Fig.6)

Fig. 6 Removing the clutch / brake screws.

4.

Using a 15mm wrench, remove the 10

front cover bolts. (Fig. 7)

Fig. 7 Removing the front cover bolts.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

5.

Remove the front cover (13) from the

transmission housing. (Fig. 8)

6.

Flush the case to remove any loose

debris.

M15

Fig. 8 Removing the front cover.

7.

Remove the snap ring (14) that retains the

PTO shaft seal. (Fig. 9)

Fig. 9 Removing the PTO shaft seal snap ring.

8.

Remove the PTO shaft seal (15) and

bearing (16) by pressing from inside the
front cover. Discard seal. (Fig. 10)

Fig. 10 Removing the PTO shaft seal and

bearing.
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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

9.

M15

At this point carefully assess the condition

of the ring gear (21) and the pinion gear (8).
If no damage is detected skip steps 10 14, and steps 33 - 38 and continue with
replacing the differential. If damage is
detected, order ring and pinion gear
replacement kit from Sauer-Sundstrand.*
Two kits exist for right and left hand gear
sets. To determine which one to use, look
at the pinion gear. If the teeth curve to the
right, order kit 4510280. If they curve to
the left , order kit 4510281. If you are not
sure which kit to order contact your SauerSundstrand representative. (Fig. 11)

Fig. 11 Assessing ring gear and the pinion

gear.

10. Using a 17mm wrench remove the thirteen bolts that connect the hydraulic
housing to the gear housing (22).
(Fig. 12)

Fig. 12 Removing bolts from housing.

11. Using a soft mallet strike the gear housing

to remove the hydraulic housing. (Fig. 13)

* Kit 4510282 and 4510283 already include ring and

pinion gears.

Fig. 13 Removing transmission housing from

the hydraulic housing.
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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

12. Using a 30mm wrench remove the lock
nut (1) from the pinion gear shaft (8).
The rotation of the axles must be blocked
at both ends before nut can be loosened.
(Fig. 14)

M15

Block axles from

rotating

Fig. 14 Removing the lock nut.

13. Remove the washer (2), small bearing

(3), spacer (4), and drive gear (5) from
the pinion gear shaft. (Fig. 15)

Fig. 15 Removing the washer, bearing,

spacer, and drive gear.
14. Using a 5mm internal hex wrench,
remove the six screws that attach the
bearing retainer (6). Remove pinion gear
shaft and bearing assembly (8). (Fig. 16)

Fig. 16 Removing the bearing retainer.

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15. Using a 16mm wrench, remove the seven

axle bolts from each axle. Remove the
axles (10). (Fig. 17)

Fig. 17 Removing the axles.

16. Using a 16mm wrench, remove the two

differential bearing clamp bolts. Remove
the differential bearing clamp (17).
(Fig. 18)

Fig. 18 Removing the differential

bearing clamp.

17. Using a 10mm wrench, remove the six

differential bearing carrier screws.
Discard existing screws. (Fig. 19)

Fig. 19 Removing the differential bearing

carrier screws.
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18. Remove the differential (18) and differential bearing carrier (19). If shims (20)
were used in assembly, retain for reassembly. (Fig. 20)

Fig. 20 Removing the differential.

19. Using a 15mm wrench, remove six of the
ten ring gear screws from the differential,
leaving four screws evenly spaced around
the circumference. Loosen the remaining
four until they stand about 12mm [1/2 in]
above the surface of the differential.
20. Using a soft mallet, tap the four screws
applying even pressure to drive the ring
gear off of the differential. If ring gear is
damaged, discard. (Fig. 21)
21. With the ring gear free, remove the
remaining four screws. Remove the ring
gear.

Fig. 21 Removing the ring gear.

22. Install the ring gear to the new differential.

23. Install all ten screws and tighten them
evenly working your way around the
differential in a crisscross pattern. This
operation presses the ring gear onto the
new differential.
24. Torque the ring gear screws to 75 Nm
[55 lbfft] again using a crisscross pattern. (Fig. 22)

Fig. 22 Installing the ring gear.

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25. Install left hand side bearing cup (23) and

any existing shims to the differential
bearing carrier. (Fig. 23)

Add shims only as required. (See step 30)

Fig. 23 Installing the left side bearing cup.

26. Install the right hand side bearing cup (24)

and any existing shims. (Fig. 24)

Add shims only as required. (See step 30)

Fig. 24 Installing the right side bearing cup.

27. While holding the differential in place,

install the bearing carrier and differential
clamp. (Fig. 25)

Fig. 25 Installing the differential.

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28. Torque the differential bearing clamp bolts

to 98 Nm [73 lbfft]. (Fig. 26)

29. Install new bearing carrier screws

included with kit. Torque the bearing
carrier screws to 43 Nm [32 lbfft].
(Fig. 27)

30. Using a dial indicator on the ring gear,

check the backlash by rocking the differential back and forth without turning the
pinion gear. Backlash should be .254mm
+/- .101 [.010 in +/- .004]. Extra shims
(.005 in and .008 in) are included with the
kit and may be used as required to set
backlash within desired range. To increase backlash, shim between the differential clamp and the right hand side
bearing cup. To decrease backlash, shim
between the differential bearing carrier
and the left hand side bearing cup. After
shimming, reinstall the differential per
steps 25 through 29. Recheck backlash
and repeat shimming as necessary.
(Fig. 28)

Fig. 26 Installing the differential bearing

clamp.

Fig. 27 Installing the differential bearing carrier.

Fig. 28 Checking the backlash.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

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31. Install the axles using new gaskets (27).

(Fig. 29)
32. Install the axle bolts. Torque to 98 Nm
[73 lbfft].

Fig. 29 Installing the axles.

33. Install new pinion gear shaft and bearing
assembly to the gear housing. (Fig. 30)

Fig. 30 Installing pinion gear shaft and

bearing assembly.
34. Install the six new screws securing the
bearing retainer. Torque to 38 Nm
[28 lbf.ft] (Fig. 31)

Fig. 31 Installing bearing retainer.

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35. Install drive gear, spacer, bearing, and

replacement washer. (Fig. 32)

Fig. 32 Installing drive gear, spacer, bearing,

and washer.
36. Apply Loctite #7070 cleaner or equivalent to threads of the pinion shaft and nut.
The threads must completely dry before
assembly. Apply Loctite #271 or equivalent thread locking compound to a minimum of 4 thread widths for 360 degrees
of the nut and shaft. Hand tighten lock
nut so the large bearing surface of the nut
faces the pinion end of the shaft, then
torque to 244 Nm [180 +/- 10 lbfft].
(Fig. 33)
Note: Allow 2 hours for compound to cure
before operating unit.

Fig. 33 Installing lock nut with Loctite.

37. With new gasket in place and all gears

and shafts properly aligned, mount gear
housing to the hydraulic housing.
(Fig. 34)

Fig. 34 Aligning hydraulic housing to

transmission housing.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

38. Install the thirteen bolts that secure the

gear housing to the hydraulic housing.
Torque to 54 Nm [40 lbf.ft]. (Fig. 35)

Fig. 35 Installing transmission housing to the

hydraulic housing.

39. Install front cover gasket (26). Treat the

circular area around the clutch / brake
assembly with Loctite 515 flange sealant
or equivalent. Use a small bead on both
sides of the gasket. (Fig. 36)

Apply Loctite 515

flange sealant or
equivalent to shaded
area.

Fig. 36 Apply flange sealant.

40. Install front cover. Start the front cover

bolts, do not torque. (Fig. 37)

Fig. 37 Installing the front cover bolts.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

41. Install the 6 screws securing the clutch /

brake assembly to the front cover.
Torque to 11 Nm [8 lbfft]. (Fig. 38)

Fig. 38 Installing clutch / brake screws.

42. Install the PTO shaft bearing. (Fig. 39)

Fig. 39 Installing PTO shaft bearing.

43. Using an installation cone / bullet to protect it, install the PTO shaft seal. Press
into place evenly. Ensure that seal is
pressed deep enough to expose the snap
ring groove. (Fig. 40)

Fig. 40

Installing PTO shaft seal.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

M15

44. Install the snap ring which retains the

PTO shaft seal. (Fig. 41)

Fig. 41 Installing snap ring.

45. Torque front cover bolts to 54 Nm

[40 lbfft] using a crisscross pattern.
(Fig. 42)

Fig. 42 Torquing the front cover bolts.

46. Install the auxiliary pad (or cover) using

new o-ring. Ensure that the o-ring is
seated properly in the groove in the front
cover. (Fig. 43)

O-Ring

Fig. 43 Installing the auxiliary pad o-ring.

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Integrated Hydrostatic Transaxle

47

M15

Install the auxiliary pad (or cover) and

bolts. Torque to 54Nm [40 lbfft].
(Fig. 44)

48. If used, Install the auxiliary pump (not

shown).

Fig. 44 Installing the auxiliary pad cover.

49. Replace filter after assembly and again

after 50 hour break-in period. (Fig. 45)

Filter

Fig. 45 Filter location.

SAUER-DANFOSS COMPANY
2800 East 13th Street Ames, IA 50010 USA
Phone: +1-515-239-6000 Fax: +1-515-239-6618

BLN-10169 Revision B JAN. 1999

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