Avenger
Veteran Member
If you have read my other recent thread on my current 500hr service, you're up to speed.
www.tractorbynet.com
As I wait for parts, I decided to get my butt out there and continue working on the tractor. First thing I did was drop the front axle oil. I drained all three plugs at the same time. I let it drip out for a few hours, and when I went to replace the plugs, I noticed a bit of thread tape in the main drain hole. This tractor uses pipe plugs for the drains and needs to have tape on the threads. I grabbed a little pick hook I have and fished it out. When doing so, something kinda large and heavy make a 'thunk' sound on the drain pan! Knowing exactly what it was, I continued to fish around, pulling a bit more metal chunks out. Eventually, I grabbed a small flexible magnet I have and fished all around inside the small cavity. I didn't actually pull any more out. Take a look at the photo.
The wrench is for scale.
Now, if this was the rear axle on my pickup, I wouldn't be here talking about it. I'd already have the diff pan off inspecting the gears. But this is the front axle of my tractor, and it is not so easy to gain access. I used a small flexible borescope in through the holes, but I couldn't see anything. I really do not want to tear apart this front axle for an inspection. It has not acted up at all... except for that one time:
When I bought the tractor, it was equipped with the wrong steering stop bolts. I replaced them, and left just enough clearance between the tire and loader bracket. Then I put chains on and got bound up, breaking the upper control arm. It's the only real thing that I have had repaired under warranty, and I did the work myself.
My thought, or hope, or denial, is that I broke a tooth in the front end that fateful day, and the parts have simply sat at the bottom of the axle until now. While I do have the knowledge, the tools, the space, to completely tear down this front axle, I really, REALLY, do not want to. To put it simply, I don't have the time. This is not a simple one day or weekend project, as some of you know. I'd have to tear it down, figure out what broke, replace the broken parts, new seals, etc. Nope, not a fan.
So, I plan to ignore it. The tractor has not been acting like it has a broken tooth or ring at all. I know that leaving loose metal in the axle is asking for really bad things to happen, but I'm confident I have the bigger parts out. I left the main drain open, and added a few quarts of oil into the top, to try and flush anything out. Nothing more came out. I think I will run it for a few days, get it all mixed up, and drain it again.
What are your thoughts? Would you stop and tear into this front axle? Or would you run it and forget what you found?
Do You Stop When Something Breaks?
Obviously you'll stop the tractor when something breaks when you're out using it. Least I hope you would. I'm talking about doing your maintenance and something breaks. Do you stop? Lets say you're changing the oil, and you break or loose the drain plug. Do you then continue on to the filter? or...
www.tractorbynet.com
As I wait for parts, I decided to get my butt out there and continue working on the tractor. First thing I did was drop the front axle oil. I drained all three plugs at the same time. I let it drip out for a few hours, and when I went to replace the plugs, I noticed a bit of thread tape in the main drain hole. This tractor uses pipe plugs for the drains and needs to have tape on the threads. I grabbed a little pick hook I have and fished it out. When doing so, something kinda large and heavy make a 'thunk' sound on the drain pan! Knowing exactly what it was, I continued to fish around, pulling a bit more metal chunks out. Eventually, I grabbed a small flexible magnet I have and fished all around inside the small cavity. I didn't actually pull any more out. Take a look at the photo.
The wrench is for scale.
Now, if this was the rear axle on my pickup, I wouldn't be here talking about it. I'd already have the diff pan off inspecting the gears. But this is the front axle of my tractor, and it is not so easy to gain access. I used a small flexible borescope in through the holes, but I couldn't see anything. I really do not want to tear apart this front axle for an inspection. It has not acted up at all... except for that one time:
When I bought the tractor, it was equipped with the wrong steering stop bolts. I replaced them, and left just enough clearance between the tire and loader bracket. Then I put chains on and got bound up, breaking the upper control arm. It's the only real thing that I have had repaired under warranty, and I did the work myself.
My thought, or hope, or denial, is that I broke a tooth in the front end that fateful day, and the parts have simply sat at the bottom of the axle until now. While I do have the knowledge, the tools, the space, to completely tear down this front axle, I really, REALLY, do not want to. To put it simply, I don't have the time. This is not a simple one day or weekend project, as some of you know. I'd have to tear it down, figure out what broke, replace the broken parts, new seals, etc. Nope, not a fan.
So, I plan to ignore it. The tractor has not been acting like it has a broken tooth or ring at all. I know that leaving loose metal in the axle is asking for really bad things to happen, but I'm confident I have the bigger parts out. I left the main drain open, and added a few quarts of oil into the top, to try and flush anything out. Nothing more came out. I think I will run it for a few days, get it all mixed up, and drain it again.
What are your thoughts? Would you stop and tear into this front axle? Or would you run it and forget what you found?
