"applying the brake and turning " ... So does than mean your "Drifting" it in the corners?? congrats on the new mower.

Rusty, that's what I thought at first too, was that the original had been replaced by just a piece of cable, but when I looked up the part and checked it out on a couple of websites, they all just show a bare cable, no sheathing on it. I tracked it down to Part # 1-5476 - is there a different part number I should be lookng for? Thanks.

That plate is not needed if using a Tecumseh or Briggs engines. As for the Loose belt: Here's the dope on that! Under the seat area, on the tube that connects the front part of the machine to the back part, is a steel clamp. Loosen this clamp, until you can turn it by hand. Then take off the cover over the part where the belt goes in to the mower section. Put machine in low gear, then grab the handle bars and yank them forward. you will see the clamp area move forward, and the belt will tighten up. Tighten the clamp temporarily. Grasp both sides of the belt tightly trying to pull them together, touching. There must be a 3 finger wide space between the belt sides, when tight, to have it correct! Keep adjusting the assembly, until you have the correct spacing of the belt, tighten the clamp securely, and it'll be ok. I've had Snapper RER's since 1983, and can't seem to get attached to any other riding mower, or tractor. Also, in case you break the belt, an aftermarket belt, or a hardware store belt, will not be correct for the machine. You must use the double vee belt, still available at Snapper dealers, just for Snapper RER's, must be used.

I couldn't find the shop manual for my 2012 RER (it's either a 7800784 or 7800785 ) through the Snapper website, so I sent them an email. They sent me a PDF copy of the last Snapper RER shop manual, published several years ago. Cosmetics of the newer models have changed but not the mechanics. Also, my RER drives fine without the blade engaged. Once I engage the blade, everything is fine until I apply the brake/clutch pedal again. When I release the brake/clutch pedal, the mower will not move forward unless I rock it back and forth. But it will work in reverse. And the problem moving forward is worse if I have applied the brake/clutch pedal and placed it in reverse and then try a forward gear. I'm assuming that the problem lies in the drive disc height adjustment. I plan to replace the driven disc while I'm at it. The shop manual shows a "Tool To Hold Driven Disc #3-2392" that will help with removing/installing the driven disc and it will also help with setting the correct distance for the drive disc. The current part number appears to be 7060601YP Snapper or Briggs & Stratton and may be called a "Drive Disc Adjustment Tool" or "Adjustment Gauge".