Hi all, my front wheel drive isn't working on a century 3045 I just bought from an estate. I knew the old gent who owned this tractor and can verify it isn't beat at all. It spent 99% of it's life in the garage resting. It is about an 02 model with 236 hours on it, mostly mowing or putting around picking up branches.
I've been searching around, and see plenty of advice that suggests my problem with my new (to me) century is the ball bearings to engage the front axle. Here's how I've come to that conclusion:
1. I put tractor in two wheel drive and in gear while off
2 took cover off drive shaft to front axle from tranny and was able to turn it freely (one of the four bolts was a little longer and I am not sure if that matters)
3 engaged four wheel drive and was no longer able to turn it at all as if it was in gear (cause I suppose it's in gear lol)
4 checked front and found one little ball bearing hanging out where the shaft splines to the front axle.
5 I touched the ball and it slid back into the spline cant find any other balls so I assume they are either gone or in the spline (I'm not sure where these things should actually be)
6 with front axle off the ground I can free wheel spin either wheel forward or backward, when turning one the other turns as well so I'm thinking my problem is in those little ball bearings
So the real question is, am I missing something else.... and exactly how do I get the shaft out to see if I need those ball bearings or can find mine or if they're even missing???
I've been searching around, and see plenty of advice that suggests my problem with my new (to me) century is the ball bearings to engage the front axle. Here's how I've come to that conclusion:
1. I put tractor in two wheel drive and in gear while off
2 took cover off drive shaft to front axle from tranny and was able to turn it freely (one of the four bolts was a little longer and I am not sure if that matters)
3 engaged four wheel drive and was no longer able to turn it at all as if it was in gear (cause I suppose it's in gear lol)
4 checked front and found one little ball bearing hanging out where the shaft splines to the front axle.
5 I touched the ball and it slid back into the spline cant find any other balls so I assume they are either gone or in the spline (I'm not sure where these things should actually be)
6 with front axle off the ground I can free wheel spin either wheel forward or backward, when turning one the other turns as well so I'm thinking my problem is in those little ball bearings
So the real question is, am I missing something else.... and exactly how do I get the shaft out to see if I need those ball bearings or can find mine or if they're even missing???
