If that model is the one with the stamped tin transmission case---ya might as well "bite the bullet" and realise you made a mistake, and go out and buy a better make of tiller. They weren't made to be fixed, only to give ya more scrap to take to the scrap yard! JMHO-Rusty Jones

Did you disassemble everything or did the parts just fall out when u opened it?

Can u post pics of your parts and we can help from there.

Do you have a PDF of the Owner's Manual. I had a similar Craftsman Tiller and had to get into the transmission. I found that with a PDF, I could blow up the transmission diagram to 11 x 17 (ledger size) with good results.

Using Sear's Parts Direct has really poor diagrams, and I had the same problems you are talking about.

I have the manual for 917-293490 in PDF. Email me if you want me to bounce back a copy.

I reassembled the Craftsman tiller and it works fine, except the tines don't rotate in rear direction when the tiller moves forward. I had all gears out and did not notice any damage upon inspection.

It shifts easily across the "transport only" gear selection range of F, N, R. When placed into "forward direction - tines rotate in reverse" the times rotate but the tiller does not move forward. Moving the gear selector one more over to "forward direction - forward rotating tines", the tiller works fine.

Any ideas? Thanks Craig