2320 Drive Shaft U Joint blew up.

[ruko]

Alright the manual was revised to include the oversight.
It still stands that finding the operator's manual included with a used tractor is a rare event.

I wonder how rare that really is.

The hidden U joint is also not mentioned in the repair DVD I purchased from JD two years ago.

 

[ruko]

What was JD thinking when they made this?

 

[GreenMtns]

What was JD thinking when they made this?

Better than that ruko, I have a 2320 with a manual dated 26, March, 2012 that states that the joint should be greased every 50 hours. And show the access hole under the tractor to get to it.

THE PROBLEM: The grease zerk is installed facing the rear of the tractor and can not be reached or even seen following the directions printed in the manual.

So to quote you...."WHAT WAS JD THINKING WHEN THEY MADE THIS"....AND WHEN THEY PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAN NOT BE FOLLOWED?

 

[beenthere]

It is what it is, just grease the darn thing...

 

[KennyG]

It's an annoyance but on the up side, I think it's the only maintenance complication on the tractor. And, with practice it gets easier. With 450 hours on my 2320, I've done it 5 times now. The first time I thought it was impossible. I pull the floor board and cowling every fall to clean in depth when I install the cab, so now it's just another 5 minutes added to the process. I would hope it's easier on the new 2 series.

 

[GreenTime]

I have a 2011 JD 2520. Does the 2520 also have these U-joint grease zerks and if so, what is the service recommendation? Thanks.

 

[buickanddeere]

I have a 2011 JD 2520. Does the 2520 also have these U-joint grease zerks and if so, what is the service recommendation? Thanks.

What does the operator's manual state ?
Does the grease fitting appear in the parts book? The parts book is free on the JD web site .

 

[GreenTime]

My manual does not reference greasing U-joint zerks (but others have said the same on the 2320's). The parts breakdown does show zerks but I don't trust the breakdown or JD after reading the above posts.

 

[buickanddeere]

I would trust the JD documents ahead of bubba's post on the Internet

 

[Victory Pete]

Eureka! The $%#@*&% front U-Joint is lubed! I attempted to lift the floorboard, after I had all the screws, pedals and knobs off it wouldnt clear the plastic shroud so I started messing with that, got it loose enough to expose the side panel. I held it open with some old jeans, I tie wrapped the connector that was dangling in the way. I looked in and saw the "Jerk". I attempted to use my standard grease gun and tip, it made a mess. I had lunch and calmed down a bit, boy was I cussing out Deere! They are going to hear from me tomorrow whether it will matter or not we will see. So I went to Tractor Supply and they had 2 kinds of grease adapters. a needle adapter and one with a bigger hole, that is the one I got. I tried it and again a big mess, the Jerk is in there at a %%$#&*angle, so I bent an angle to the adapter, worked great. I have some pictures, you can see a before and after picture of the grease on the u-joint. I hope this helps others as you guys have helped me. I think next time I wont take the floor apart, I dont think it helped at all, I just have to take apart the plastic shroud or try from underneath with the special grease adapter, although maybe now I have the wrong angle on the adapter, I may have to get another one. What about the poor souls that put 50 hours on their 2320 in say a month or even worse a week!

VP

Wow time sure does fly. I have since cut an access hole to get to the secret panel. I do not have to loosen the dash anymore. But it is still a pain to ensure that grease gets injected in the joint. I am never quite sure how much actually goes in despite the huge pile of grease that seems to leak out from the greasing tip. I now have 300 hours on the 2320 and the joint still feels tight in there. I asked my dealer about this and he didn't seem to acknowledge what I was saying. he acted as though it should be a routine procedure.