Clunking in front axle?

[DirtHauler]

I took the right side partially apart the other day, and the bearings I could see looked fine. I did find some damage to one of the lower gears, as seen in the photos. I think I need to wait for a warm day and pull both sides and fully investigate it looks like. I can't imagine that that gear is the cause of the issue...rather it seems to me maybe it sustained damage because of a larger issue? Or perhaps it is the source?View attachment 589541View attachment 589542View attachment 589543View attachment 589544View attachment 589545

Those chipped teeth are a sign that one or more ball bearings have come out of the bearing cage and fallen between the gears. At the top of that shaft there's a couple bearings, I suspect that it's one of these that is bad. There's another at the bottom. You'll have to remove the "cap" on the bottom of gear case to get to it. When you remove it, I'll bet you find a lot metal shavings there.

 

[Bud Soda]

I had the same damage to the same gear. I cleaned it up the best I could with a dremel tool. I had to replace parts 13,14,21, and 16 only. FRONT GEAR CASE 2 - T33NH - TYM Tractors

 

[Oldpath05]

That's pretty good when you can clean up broken teeth, and just replace 13,14,21,16.

 

[Bud Soda]

That's pretty good when you can clean up broken teeth, and just replace 13,14,21,16.

I know right. I'm just that good, the best I've ever seen. I'm thinking about becoming a Dentist. Just like gears, some people are born with more teeth than they really need.

 

[radios1]

That's pretty good when you can clean up broken teeth, and just replace 13,14,21,16.

it don't work that way in the long run.. the gear needs to be replaced..

 

[Oldoak]

it don't work that way in the long run.. the gear needs to be replaced..

Not if he trades the tractor in or sells it to an unsuspecting individual. That is why I always prefer to buy "new" rather than "used" if I can afford it.

Not suggesting that Bud Soda would, but there are certainly people out there that would not hesitate.

 

[Bud Soda]

Not if he trades the tractor in or sells it to an unsuspecting individual. That is why I always prefer to buy "new" rather than "used" if I can afford it.

Not suggesting that Bud Soda would, but there are certainly people out there that would not hesitate.

Here me now and believe me later. I know its not the best way to do things. I definitely would not do it to a helicopter tail rotor gear or anything my life depended on. In my case my tractor was a mile back in the woods. If I had it at home I would have broken it all down and replaced everything. I did the same thing to a 15hp boat motor gear years ago. Ran it over 10 years with no trouble. I have used the tractor a few hours moving dirt. I ran it at road speed, no noise or vibration. Not selling the tractor as I still owe on it and I use it about everyday. If I had the gear out I could repair it with my mig welder. Done that before also. The pinion gear is the soft gear, the ring gear is hardened. I may change it when the bearing goes out again.

 

[Oldoak]

Here me now and believe me later. I know its not the best way to do things. I definitely would not do it to a helicopter tail rotor gear or anything my life depended on. In my case my tractor was a mile back in the woods. If I had it at home I would have broken it all down and replaced everything. I did the same thing to a 15hp boat motor gear years ago. Ran it over 10 years with no trouble. I have used the tractor a few hours moving dirt. I ran it at road speed, no noise or vibration. Not selling the tractor as I still owe on it and I use it about everyday. If I had the gear out I could repair it with my mig welder. Done that before also. The pinion gear is the soft gear, the ring gear is hardened. I may change it when the bearing goes out again.

I repeat, as I specifically stated in more original comment:

Not suggesting that Bud Soda would

 

[patchfarm]

Well, I finally had a chance to fully pull both Final Drives off each side. What I found looking down the tube from the left side does not seem encouraging. It looks like gear bevel on the front diff and the pinion bevel is toast. I haven't pulled the bearings/gears on each final drive but as shown in a previous post, at least the right side needs some work. With all that being said, can I get an honest answer on if it might just be easier to buy a whole new axle assembly rather than pulling ever last bearing/shim/gear apart and ultimately finding a lot needing replacement? And if it's best to start pulling things apart, do I need to bring the final drives to a shop or can I remove these bearings with typical tools? I might be out of my league here...in case ya'll hadn't noticed.

 

[RNeumann]

Wow! That’s not a common issue! Sorry to see that. I doubt a whole new axle is the solution. If it’s over your head their are mobile heavy equipment mechanics that can tackle this. The normal operation would be to remove the front axle and work on it on a bench. You could do the R and R and a shop could do the ring and pinion setup and replacement. Setting backlash, pinion depth etc isn’t that big of a deal for a gear/axle or heavy equipment mechanic/shop.