Bx2200 axial ball joint replacement

[warment]

Just bought 2 new axial ball joints for my bx2200. I am having trouble unscrewing them from the hydraulic steering shaft as the shaft is rotating when I try to unscrew them. Is there a trick?

 

[TMGT]

On my dad's bx1500 there are flats machined into the end of the cylinders rod so it can be held with a wrench.
If it doesn't have the flats you can try.a rubber strap wrench at the end of the rod closest to the joint.
And I know it sounds stupid but doeble check the which way it's threaded, I'm not sure if they are left hand threads.

 

[repete]

Sometimes you can seat the old ball joint into the housing by tapping the rod end into the housing with a hammer. It may hold enough to get the nut off. If you are replacing the ball joint you can take a torch to the nut to expand it for more clearance as well to reduce the tendency to spin the joint in the hole.

I am assuming the old one is just worn out and sloppy. Before you remove the old one, measure from the end of the inside ball joint to a location mid point between both extremes of the "free play" and mark the housing and record the distance. When you put the new one in, adjust the ball joint so that the original distance is again obtained. That may give you the best chance of having the toe in setting correct. I hope that makes sense.

 

[TMGT]

Sometimes you can seat the old ball joint into the housing by tapping the rod end into the housing with a hammer. It may hold enough to get the nut off. If you are replacing the ball joint you can take a torch to the nut to expand it for more clearance as well to reduce the tendency to spin the joint in the hole.

I am assuming the old one is just worn out and sloppy. Before you remove the old one, measure from the end of the inside ball joint to a location mid point between both extremes of the "free play" and mark the housing and record the distance. When you put the new one in, adjust the ball joint so that the original distance is again obtained. That may give you the best chance of having the toe in setting correct. I hope that makes sense.

The problem appears to be where the tie rod end threads into the rod for the hyd. steering ram, not the spindle.

Don't put heat on the rod, it can damage the chrome plating.

 

[KennyV]

Use an impact (air or electric) it will spin them off...

 

[davesl708]

There are two flat spots on the end of the steering rod to hold it while you remove the joint.

 

[dickfoster]

Just bought 2 new axial ball joints for my bx2200. I am having trouble unscrewing them from the hydraulic steering shaft as the shaft is rotating when I try to unscrew them. Is there a trick?

Are you talking about tie rod ends?

 

[warment]

I am trying to remove the inner axial balls (that have the rubber boots attached to them) and the hydraulic steering ram/shaft is spinning when I turn the axial ball.

 

[davesl708]

I am trying to remove the inner axial balls (that have the rubber boots attached to them) and the hydraulic steering ram/shaft is spinning when I turn the axial ball.

Those are the tie-rod ends. Right behind the tie rod end, on the right side, and the exposed part of the cylinder shaft you will find two flat spots on the cylinder shaft to place a wrench to hold the shaft from spinning.

 

[TripleR]

Mine look like this, so there is a place for a wrench, but maybe I misunderstand the problem: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/310869-replacing-bx24-tie-rod-boot.html#post3757492

 

[warment]

See image below. I am replacing the axial ball (see white arrow in the image), but the hydraulic steering ram (see black arrow in the image) is spinning when I try to unscrew the axial ball.

 

[warment]

I tried gripping the ram with a vice grips (I had a piece of rubber to keep the from scratching) with no luck.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks, now I understand, are you sure it's threaded and not a press fit? I've never run into that and after trying a strap wrench, I'd be at a loss.

 

[davesl708]

I tried gripping the ram with a vice grips (I had a piece of rubber to keep the from scratching) with no luck.

Those are the tie-rod ends. Right behind the tie rod end, on the right side, and the exposed part of the cylinder shaft you will find two flat spots on the cylinder shaft to place a wrench to hold the shaft from spinning.

Last edited by davesl708; Yesterday at 12:47 PM.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, I just pulled up the exploded diagram from Messick's and see the flats mentioned by Dave.

 

[warment]

Ok guys...I did not see any flat spots on the hydraulic steering ram (black arrow)...I will look again tonight though. I do see flat spots on the out tie rod ends, but those won't keep the hydraulic steering ram from spinning. The new axial balls have a male threaded end (clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen) that threads into the hydraulic steering ram.

Thanks for all our your help. I will eventually figure this out...I hope...

 

[TripleR]

I wonder if there was a change, my diagram is from our BX2660, I can't get to my BX2200 right now to check.

 

[warment]

Is the flat spot you see closest to the outside/tire? Or closest to the ram in the center? I definitely didn't notice any flat spot on the outer side, and could not feel/see any flat spot towards the inside.

 

[TripleR]

Outside tire. Send Messick an email request and he will send it to you, very handy when ordering parts.

 

[warment]

I have an illustrated parts manual for my BX2200, deck and loader. I just looked at the steering diagram and it appears to have a flat spot right at the axial ball like you guys have mentioned. I will look again tonight and post again. I am really going to feel stupid if it is indeed there and I simply did not see it.