1510 FWD seals

[MJPetersen]

I had the front hubs off my tractor probably 2 years and 200 hours ago. I discovered then that the king pins were badly pitted and the smaller bearings on the king pin were shot, but the rest of the gears and bearings did not look too bad. I had new kingpins made, and replaced all the smaller bearings and the big rim seal and the top kingpin seal. However I did not "completely" disassemble and check everything, therefore the little bit of looseness in the stub axle bearings remained. My VC rebuild had flow-able grease in the front axle and after the rebuild I put in gear oil.

Everything was great for the last 2 years, but this summer the front wheel seals started leaking and not a little. From nothing to everything just while the tractor sat. I decided today to take it apart so that I could replace the seals. Having had it apart before made it easier to tear down. (I have a service manual for the 186, but the front end is a TOTALLY different design.) I tried to show a few steps but my hands got dirty enough that I did not want to touch the camera and then I had an emergency so I put had to put it back together very quickly.

First the problem as is evident.

Mike

 

[MJPetersen]

I was curious how my new kingpins were holding up so I examined everything while it was apart. The gears still look great and the bearings on the kingpin were in great shape--It was only 200 hours ago that I replaced them all so they should be but it was good to see.

Considering the age of this tractor I am very pleased that the gears look as good as they do. There is some wear on the mating pieces between the top and bottom where the big seal rides. I am not sure but it looks like there is a bronze wear ring on the upper piece. Maybe some one can tell me if that is even available.

Anyway, I cleaned it all up and put it back together.

Mike

 

[MJPetersen]

I do have a question at this stage. These top caps screw into the top piece with the kingpin and bearings and the transfer gears. What is the procedure for tightening them and how much should they be tightened? Could someone chime in here and tell me. I figure that the the factory has a special spanner that engages these nubs, but I just used a punch and a hammer.

Mike