Ford 3910 FWD front axle repairs

[mrmikey]

I once used a Loctite product that filled a gap like this....

I was thinking the same thing, Belzona makes a bunch of products 404 Error page . as does Loctite Loctite metal filled compounds ....Mike

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I'm curious though. If I add a product to the housing neck, how will I machine it down to fit the new outer bushing?? Wouldn't this require removing the housing and taking it to a machine shop with a lathe??

Thanks again for the ideas. I'm all about trying new things. Just don't want to smear something on the housing that I can't remove and ultimately end up buying a new housing.

 

[sixdogs]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I'm curious though. If I add a product to the housing neck, how will I machine it down to fit the new outer bushing?? Wouldn't this require removing the housing and taking it to a machine shop with a lathe??

Thanks again for the ideas. I'm all about trying new things. Just don't want to smear something on the housing that I can't remove and ultimately end up buying a new housing.

If you are talking about the Loctite stuff, you simply put some on the inner portion of the housing and then on the outer part of the "race". The stuff is like a non shrinking and somewhat self expanding product that fills the gaps where the metal had been chewed away. The two metal parts are --bad choice of words here--glued together. The slop between parts in then taken care of by the goo filling the spaces. Heat will separate them later.

There are, or were different products to compensate for different thickness desired to be filled.

In my case mentioned earlier, the race was really sloppy in my hub and there is no way it would work. I put the Loctite on it was good to go and that was the end of the story.

 

[ovrszd]

Sixdogs, I was afraid that's what you were referring to. In my case the axle oscillates on this surface. If I bond the gear case housing to the outer bushing the axle will not oscillate. I think maybe one variety of the Loctite material is designed to fix my problem. But after curing it would require machining to get the surface smooth and the outside diameter of the gear case housing back to the original diameter.

 

[mrmikey]

What's your thoughts on using either one of the metal repair products and seeing if there's a speedy sleeve the correct diameter. If the speedy sleeve wore thru then you'd have the product under it, mind you the bushing would have to be turned down in the ID some. Maybe too much work and too much unknowns to try....Mike

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs, I was afraid that's what you were referring to. In my case the axle oscillates on this surface. If I bond the gear case housing to the outer bushing the axle will not oscillate. I think maybe one variety of the Loctite material is designed to fix my problem. But after curing it would require machining to get the surface smooth and the outside diameter of the gear case housing back to the original diameter.

Oops, not good. Maybe get an estimate on the machining cost? But first, dig a little harder.

Sometimes manufacturers sell kits that can partially fix the problem. Maybe in this case it might be a replacement piece of metal that you weld in place after hogging out a space for it. It's worth a look to check a parts book, check the aftermarket parts people that specialize in that tractor and also talk with a shop mechanic at an older NH dealer for his advice. These guys have come across these problems before.

EDIT--Also, PM soundguy on this board. He owns many Ford tractors and really knows his stuff on repairs.

 

[Winmac]

Personally I don't feel the liquid metal is a long term solution but if you want to try it, you need to apply a release agent on the surface that is movable. Any plastic food wrap will do.


Interesting seeing the design of the Ford axle, I always felt that Ford did some strange engineering during that era. I never seen a more convoluted throttle linkage/governor setup as on a Ford 2000.

 

[ovrszd]

I just went to the online parts store to check on the price of a new gear housing. They don't list one. Said it's superseded and to contact dealer. That sound expensive.....

When I get the new outer bushing I'll fit it and see how much slack I still have. If it's minimal I'll put it back together as is. From the wear it appears at least a part of it's life lack of lubrication is the culprit. If the fit is good enough to allow the o-ring to seal and if I keep it lubed, I'm guessing it'll outlast me.

 

[kevingweq]

It is a shame ford did not put a little more effort into the design of the bearings , If only they made a replaceable bearing ,(instead of just a machined surface ) on the pumpkin,
That may be a viable repair if things don't work out for you , A speedi-sleeve was mentioned (great idea ) It believe something more substantial would be in order perhaps, I would have the OD machined down to accept a sleeve of at least 1/8"
or even 3/16" thickness machined .002-.004 " undersize ,preheat the piece and install (quickly) Just a suggestion hopefully some new parts tighten it up enough

You mentioned that the bearing with the zerk adapter was a slip fit , This seems unusual , Is there a possibility that the housing it is installed in has been "beat up " a little bit ?? This would likely be a good candidate for the Loc-tite products discussed earlier in the thread ,

PS great pictures, love em ,
And a very nice tractor also !!

Kevin

 

[ovrszd]

Kevin,

I removed the bushing from the front side carrier housing and flipped it over, to wear on the other side a while. It was just like the rear one. Remove the grease fitting adapter and the bushing slips out. The zerk adapter threads are even pointed slightly on the end to guide the bushing into the right spot. Strange but true....

I bought a replacement bushing for the rear which is close to the O-ring, hoping I'd control the leak. $375 or somewhere around that. WTH. That's why I'm gonna try reusing the front one.