I have the same problem as others with the gears stripping. I bought the kit (41C4220A) to make repairs and all was going well until I tried to get the new shaft into the hole in the motor bracket. It's WAY too tight. I greased it and banged the shaft in but cannot turn the sprocket for the chain by hand. Then I realized that I had to bang the shaft out during the original removal process. I don't get it. It doesn't make sense to be that tight. It has to spin. Could this be why the gear wore down in the first place? After 14 years of use you would think that that hole would be a little wider if anything. I don't want to start the motor as I imagine the gear would strip in front of my eyes. My thoughts are that I should be able to turn the sprocket by hand before starting the motor. Does anyone have any suggestions?