on my craftsman 917.377390, it seems to easily engage a safety feature to protect the engine, my father (previous owner) told me that he had to get it fixed a few times, but sears charges 90 bucks a pop to replace the "bushing" if that is really what it is. I guess when the feature engages the busing sheers and then throws off the timing and shuts the mower off. He was also told by someone that it's really not very difficult to do yourself. The problem with my mower is that it happens whether a rock is hit or not, but just over time it decides to give way. Well I'm not paying 90 bucks every 2 years when this happens. I'd prefer to learn how to do it myself. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the "bushing" replacement and realign the timing on this mower?

danraccay, June 2008

You can go to any hardware store and ask for this bushing but its actually not a bushing its kind of like a woodruff Key the size of a tictac. Also you need to go to a autoparts store and ask for a pulley tool to remove your flywheel assy and on that center shaft you will see that key your talking about just replace it if its sheared, if its not sheared you have problems with your valves, or something internal.

jose, June 2008