i have the same problem and am looking for the repair method also. i found a tool that cost about $250 for straitenin shaft but dont want to buy it. look up crankshaft straiting tool from lawnmower man. I have an almost new mower -About $300-and would like to save it. I have determained whitch way the shaft is bent and how much. I'm thinking about finding a repair shop that has such a tool. Failing that ,I'm just going to hit it with a BIG hammer on the side fartherst from the center of the mower and hope. There is a danger of breaking the motor houseing. I found how much it is off by removing the blade and spark plug so that i could turn the shaft easily by hand. then I stuck a large magnet to the deck underneath and put a long metal wire on the magnet and adjusted its end against the shaft. Now by turning the shaft you should be able to see how much the shaft is bentand whitch direction. First I'M going to call sevrral repair shops ,If that don't get me some help, then I'll try the big hammer --hell what do i have to loose -it is'nt working now
byron, May 2010
