B7800 Joystick flopping around

[Post Carbon]

We're getting big snows here, and I'm using my baby to clear snow from the concrete driveway--third time today. Halfway through, my joystick stopped working on the up/down. It just flops around, up and down. The side-to-side is fine, and the curl of the bucket works no problem. But now I can't raise or lower my FEL at all, and I really need both functions to clear snow.

I've had some trouble with this before, and have removed the float detente entirely because I just couldn't make it work. I'm willing to take it all apart (even in the snow) but do you think it's a nut loose, or is the valve stuck? It doesn't feel like a stuck valve like I've had before--it's so loose and flopping.

Thanks for any ideas...

PC

 

[PILOON]

Loose and flopping surly suggests disconnected somewhere.
You might just get lucky and have lost a pin and lock.
Good luck!

 

[Leejohn]

When you get the cover off you well see why.

 

[Post Carbon]

Thanks, you were right. It wasn't a pin though, it was the entire joint rod end that had worked its way out. I had to take a few other things loose to get it back on easily. Tightened a few other things, then fired my baby up again and it's all working great. Driveway is now clear.

Is that normal for such a large bolt to work its way out like that? Don't remember ever reading about such a thing.

PC

 

[PILOON]

Is it possible that there was a jamb nut there?
Perhaps it worked lose and fell off otherwise a rod end should not fall out.

 

[Post Carbon]

Didn't see any jam nut. This is what it looked like.

 

[PILOON]

Agree that no jamb was there from that pix.
Were it me I'd have used a good lock washer and perhaps even Locktite. (or epoxy)

 

[dstig1]

That stud looks bent, and the hole munged up a bit. Perhaps there is something more going on, or something happened in the past to damage it?? You may want to replace that rod end when you get a chance.

 

[Leejohn]

Just get a new ball joint, helicoil the old threads, make sure the float is working right, then your good to go.

 

[Egon]

Wore out three loader control valves on a Kubota B7100.

You should be able to fit a lock nut on the swivel joint.