1920 4WD Problem Diagnosis

[toddwulf]

My '98 1920 has started having issues when in 4WD. Description:

1. When engaged in 4WD, it seems as if the front left wheel binds up. checking play in the wheel, it is too much so perhaps the bearing needs replacement but I get no binding when in 2WD.

2. In reverse, the binding get's sginificantly worse and sounds as if it has moved to beneath the seat in the main gear case or perhaps it is binding up at the drive shaft.

Knowing this is likely not an inexpensive fix, I wanted to get the boards feedback so I can determine if this is something I can handle or not. Looking for thoughts and paths to chase towards ID or resolution. Thanks in advance.

 

[RickB]

Park the tractor immediately. No sense in damaging things further. Remove the right front wheel, the hub cover and axle stub. You will see the inner bearing and driven bevel gear. The outer bearing is in the cover outboard of the gear. You can go onlineto NH's parts website to get an idea of how it all goes together, or buy a service manual. It may be that all your troubles are in the RH front final drive, but it is difficult to tell from here. Noises can travel, appearing to come from somewhere other than the source.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

As Rick stated park the tractor imediatly. Another way to isolate the problem is to drain the oil out of each final drive and the center section and see if you get any chunks of metal. I hope it is something inexpensive and easy to repair. Keep us posted
Bil