Is the clutch key my problem? I have pictures.

[Joelusername]

We 'lost' the highest gear (5th) a while back and then we lost all the gears, ie, it wouldn't move and I could push it backwards or forwards in any gear without resistance. I took the Spicer 4450-1 transaxle apart and although the grease was pretty dried and old there were no signs of wear and tear anywhere (sharp teeth and no metal shavings in the gunk). When I turn the cogs and move the clutch everything seems fine (albeit this is clearly not under load so nothing should be slipping).

The Spicer only has two clutch keys and as you can see from the pictures one of them sits a bit 'deeper' than the other when the keys are restrained by the washer and the same key 'hangs out' more when the keys are pushed away from the washer. The key just generally feels less 'springy' than the other one but I'm pretty sure it is not broken.

Is this key my problem or is it something else in the transaxle or nothing to do with the transaxle, maybe a belt issue?

Any thoughts appreciated but as a Newbie please go easy on the jargon and don't worry about patronising me!

 

[Joelusername]

I just found this part on ebay. The third picture shows a 'floppy' clutch key so maybe the key is not my problem (or the one on ebay has the same issue...):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dana-Spic...538754?hash=item41af287642:g:iGcAAOSw0fhXlPHt

I also found this thread which is potentially talking about the same issue but I'm not sure: http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22644&highlight=spicer+4450

 

[BattleGroundCycles]

this sounds a lot like the belt is slipping or the key on the engine shaft has stripped. or maybe on the axle itself!