Clunking in front axle?

[patchfarm]

Our 4110 has developed a clunking that seems to be coming from the front axle. It only occurs in 4WD, and it occurs roughly every 2 seconds, in forward and reverse. It clunks, and the tractor kind of skips/lunges slightly with each clunk.

I drained the front axle gear oil and did find some metal shavings in it. Thoughts?

 

[RNeumann]

Time to lift the front end and spin the tires manually to see if you can isolate the noise. Front drive shaft, front axle u joint etc.

 

[mikester]

Our 4110 has developed a clunking that seems to be coming from the front axle. It only occurs in 4WD, and it occurs roughly every 2 seconds, in forward and reverse. It clunks, and the tractor kind of skips/lunges slightly with each clunk.

I drained the front axle gear oil and did find some metal shavings in it. Thoughts?

Possible chipped or damaged ring gear. Lift the front end in 2WD and spin the tires manually and feel for the clunk. Mark the sport on the tire. If it is damaged you will likely need to pull the axel and replace the ring and pinion. Dont ignore the problem it will get worse. Good luck.

 

[patchfarm]

Okay, I'll raise it and spin the front. Excuse my ignorance, why am I marking the spot of the noise on the tire? How will I know it's the ring & pinion vs. something else?

 

[RNeumann]

In my experience it will be obvious what and where the noise is coming from. I didn’t follow marking the tire either. The odds that it is a ring and or pinion gear are very slim......but it is possible. Let us know how it goes.

If it is something in the front axle the final drives should be fairly easy to take off. They are typically shipped from the factory without them on.

 

[patchfarm]

Well granted I am doing it in a snowstorm, but I put it in 2WD and lifted the front end up and spun the tires. I did not hear any greatly noticeable sounds, but perhaps I need to keep an ear to the axle itself and have someone else spin? Or, could not hearing anything offer any further proof in a certain direction?

 

[RNeumann]

Can you reach up and spin the front drive shaft. Wiggle it back and forth. That won’t spin with tire movement unless you spin both tires at the same time ......typically.

Can you try to wiggle the tires and try to move the tires in both directions.

Sorry u r working on it in the snow.....boo!

 

[DirtHauler]

Our 4110 has developed a clunking that seems to be coming from the front axle. It only occurs in 4WD, and it occurs roughly every 2 seconds, in forward and reverse. It clunks, and the tractor kind of skips/lunges slightly with each clunk.

I drained the front axle gear oil and did find some metal shavings in it. Thoughts?

Mine did that too and the damage was quite extensive, here's what I found on the right side:

 

[RNeumann]

Mine did that too and the damage was quite extensive, here's what I found on the right side:

Looks like a bearing failure. This that what happened?

 

[ovrszd]

I always apply the KISS principle. Start with the front driveshaft.

Identify this problem before further use. In regards to drivelines, the failure will multiply if not corrected very soon.