Ford 1700 front axel porblem. HELP!!

SKB · Aug 27, 2012

this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off.

So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

JC-jetro · Aug 27, 2012

SKB said:
this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off. So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

Look at the link below as they have the hub for $99. Is your rig 4 wheel drive or two wheel drive?. Do you have power steering ? Front loader can put a lot of force on 2 WD front axle and components. They also have the spindle for $145. Any pics of the damaged parts?

JC,

Ford, 1700, FRONT-AXLE-2-WHEEL-DRIVE, Sub-Component, FRONT HUB, SBA330460170 at Wengers Of Myerstown

Ford, 1700, FRONT-AXLE-2-WHEEL-DRIVE, Sub-Component, SPINDLE - R.H., SBA330310790 at Wengers Of Myerstown

SKB · Aug 27, 2012

no sorry! its a 1700 4x4 with factory loader with manual steering. thats why im kinda baffled, it should be able to handle that extra weight?? thanks tho. let me know if you have any other ideas
thanks

JC-jetro · Aug 27, 2012

SKB said:
no sorry! its a 1700 4x4 with factory loader with manual steering. thats why im kinda baffled, it should be able to handle that extra weight?? thanks tho. let me know if you have any other ideas
thanks

I checked with Wenger and found nothing for 4WD axle and components. Pictures would be helpful. It'll be hard to find the components. Might consider to make it a 2 wd is that is all available when it comes to parts. FDo you have SBA part #s that you were pricing from NH?

JC,

JLWjr · Aug 28, 2012

Messick's has parts diagrams. You might check with them. They are not a low cost source.

Messick's | Dealer for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet and More | Online Parts, Sales & Service.

SKB · Sep 13, 2012

just got it made at a machine shop and hardend. hopefully this will work?
ill keep ya posted

Wrenchmaster · Sep 29, 2012

Who made your axle for your 1700, I need 1 made also and how much did it cost. Thanks

The machinist · Jan 8, 2013

How's it going,I might be a lttle late but I thought I'd add my two cents.I feel your pain,my wife bought me a 1700 4x4 with a factory loader about 10 years ago and the first week I had it I was putting new gravel down on my driveway and had just scooped a bucket of gravel the right front wheel fell off.I just about s*** myself.I'm a machinist and figured I'd just make another but after alot of research realized that Ford issued a service bulletin about this.Problem was or is the shaft diameter is too small so they increased it by 5mm(.200").I live on a hill and the thought of driving down to the barn with a bucket full of whatever and the wheel coming off because of 5mm was too much so I replace that side($1600 from NH) and the next year I replaced the other side($1600 from NH)Ouch.But I figured I'd spend that money if I had a Harley or a hot rod but I don't and feel alot better about driving around with a load of whatever.BTW how's the hydraulics in those prarie winters(I'm originally from wpg).Good luck to you.

pietrof · Jan 17, 2013

SKB said:
this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off. So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

This happened to me many years ago. I bit the bullet and paid the $3000 for both side, but I only fixed the side that was broken. The kit has numerous parts including new wheel Hub which has a larger diameter, new seals, bearings etc. New internal gears and gear shaft, etc.. Thats why it was expensive. The tractor blew a rod bearing a year ago and scored the crank so their it sits. I never replaced the other hub so I have a brand new upgrade kit if anyone is interested. You can view it here http://www.btstream.com/ford1700axle/.

I would pull the old hub on the older side and sell it to someone but it would just being doing you disservice as it will probably break again especially if you have a loader. If your interested in the kit I'll sell it for less than half of what I paid $700.00.

billtaylor01 · Apr 24, 2013

hi guys, I had the same thing happen to me a couple days ago, was wondering if anyone knew where there was a salvaged part. Also was thinking of getting one machined has anyone had any luck with that?