Thanks for the excellent picture. But I already
have it. How does the Ratchet key and spring
go back onto the shaft? I cant see how it fits.
Does the key and spring go inside of the gear?
If so, how do you do this?

Thanks

Boy oh boy, Bill sure comes up with some great diagrams.

Rotate the shaft until the key slot in the shaft is at 12 o'clock. Insert the spring and then the key. Use a slot screwdriver to press down the key as the pinion gear is slid on. Grease up the key and shaft before installing the pinion. When done it would be a good idea to go around to the other side and grease that pinion as well.

When installing the pinion there is a left and right side way of installing. Notice inside the hole that slides over the shaft, there is a slope ending in a squared notch. The squared side should be to the 11 o'clock side of 12 o'clock. When you go around to the other side or the left side drive, the notch will be to the 1 o'clock side of 12 o'clock.

NW-
I post the diagram, but YOU know what to do with them!

Those are excellent instructions
Oh I didn't realize there is a slot in the shaft for the
key. I did not see one anyway - probably because the
grease has hardened and it needs to be scraped out?
When I do get it cleaned, which way does the key
get inserted, with the flat or round side facing the
spring? Also is there any specific type of grease
that I should use? Also not sure what you mean by
slotted screwdriver.

Thanks again

slotted screwdriver for a slotted screw aka "standard" screw driver as opposed to Philips, Torx etc.

A anti-seize grease would be best, these are typically a grease with lead graphite so if you do use it keep if off of you. More important is to use some kind of grease and go back and clean and re-grease every year.

key direction should be self evident once the slot in the shaft is clean. Round is down. When spring and key are in place you should be able to press the key flush with the shaft. This allows the sloped side of the pinion notch's to ramp down the key letting the pinion lock when turned one direction and spin when turned the other direction. This way when drive is not engaged the wheel will free sping while being pushed forward. It also allows a differential action of allowing the outside wheel travel further then inside wheel when make a turn.

I bet if you clean the shaft you will find the original key and spring stuck in the slot. Clean everything up and re install following n-v's excellent tutorial and you are good to go.

Hi all
So many thanks to nevada and bill
for the excellent advice
When I cleaned it up I found the key stuck in
slot but spring was gonzo. Got it all back together
and forgot to put the black plastic cover
back on. Back off / Back on super -- Again a million
thanks.

While I was in there I thought I would replace the
belt as well. How do you release the tension on
the drive belt to replace? Probably a really simple
question but not obvious. Any special tools
involved.

Thanks