Foton 504 (2013) front axle squeaks when turning.

[Baroness]

wHello all. Firstly, Merry Christmas to all and a Very Happy New Year from me in Adelaide Australia. Secondly, well, here is my query. I have a Foton FT 504 and when I turn the steering wheel backwards and forwards, both sides of the tractor at the wheels squeak. I have removed and dismantled the tie rod ends and greased them as they would not accept grease via the nipple (zerk), but the squeak is still there. It is quite loud and is almost a squeal and it is difficult to determine where the noise is coming from. Would it have anything to do with the final drive on each wheel which has a grease nipple? I have applied grease to the final drive but I am not sure how much grease to inject as I can't see where the old grease escapes? Can I do any damage to the final drive by injecting too much grease? Any assistance to address this problem would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

[super55]

Your best option would be to first isolate the location. Get all 4 tires off the ground, Then steer the tractor. If the noise is present then it is in the steering linkage. If it squeaks when your tires are in motion then its driveline related.

You could also put it in 2wd and just lift the front end and probably turn the wheels by hand to rule out driveline if it is coming from the wheel hub.

 

[piper184]

Also with both front wheels off the ground you can turn the steering wheel with the engine off and the wheels should turn left and right. Without the extra noise of the engine it should be easier to hear where the squeak is coming from.

I'm not sure about the zerk you are referring to as the final drive. If it is on top of the steering knuckle, that probably only greases the top of the kingpin and shouldn't take too much grease before it comes out around the bottom of the pivot point.

Another thing to check is the fluid in the bottom of the final drive hubs. Remove the plug and let a few ounces drain out into a clear container and check for metal filings and water contamination. Since that is the lowest point in the system water should accumulate there. Don't forget to top off the axle when done.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[5030]

Ever bother greasing the front axle trunion?

 

[Baroness]

Your best option would be to first isolate the location. Get all 4 tires off the ground, Then steer the tractor. If the noise is present then it is in the steering linkage. If it squeaks when your tires are in motion then its driveline related.

You could also put it in 2wd and just lift the front end and probably turn the wheels by hand to rule out driveline if it is coming from the wheel hub.

Thanks super55. I lifted the front wheels off the ground and yes the noise is still there when I turn the wheels from side to side. Thanks for your input as that means it is the steering linkage.

 

[Baroness]

Also with both front wheels off the ground you can turn the steering wheel with the engine off and the wheels should turn left and right. Without the extra noise of the engine it should be easier to hear where the squeak is coming from.

I'm not sure about the zerk you are referring to as the final drive. If it is on top of the steering knuckle, that probably only greases the top of the kingpin and shouldn't take too much grease before it comes out around the bottom of the pivot point.

Another thing to check is the fluid in the bottom of the final drive hubs. Remove the plug and let a few ounces drain out into a clear container and check for metal filings and water contamination. Since that is the lowest point in the system water should accumulate there. Don't forget to top off the axle when done.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Piper184 thanks for your comments. I have checked the wheels off the ground and the noise was still evident. I'll move on to other checks but I have replaced the oil in the final hubs a while ago and the hubs are full as is the axle, but I didn't check for water or metal bits when I removed the old oil. I'll find the container and see what it has in it.

 

[Baroness]

Ever bother greasing the front axle trunion?

5030 I have greased every point that I have been able to locate without having a diagram to follow. I did grease the front axle trunion I think as there were three zerks there at the center that I had problems with injecting the grease. However after lot of poking in the holes after I removed the zerks I was able to push grease in through the new zerks. Although I can't be sure of the name ''trunion'' and if the part I am referring to is the trunion, I am pretty sure that is what I greased. Thanks for your comment and advice. It was much appreciated. I will keep working on it.

 

[piper184]

Are you able to tell what side the squeak is coming from?
You might try taking a tie rod end off of one of the steering knuckles. Then with the front wheels jacked off the ground just turn the wheels by hand, one at a time and see if that helps isolate the noise.
Just a process of elimination. It will always be the last thing you check!

 

[Baroness]

tAre you able to tell what side the squeak is coming from?
You might try taking a tie rod end off of one of the steering knuckles. Then with the front wheels jacked off the ground just turn the wheels by hand, one at a time and see if that helps isolate the noise.
Just a process of elimination. It will always be the last thing you check!

Thank you once again for your input Piper184. I have done what you suggested and the squeak is from both sides. It appears to be from the steering somehow because it only occurs when I turn the steering wheel so I will look further into that. I have a son in law visiting soon and he has a bit more experienced as me as he works on fixing trucks for a living, so I will see what he comes up with. I will let you know and the other contributors what happens next. Cheers for now and a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your loved ones.

 

[Baroness]

Hello again to those who offered assistance to my squeaking wheels on my tractor. Well the matter has been rectified and I am embarrassed to say that the problem was with the level of hydraulic fluid in the power steering reservoir (the fluid must have been low for the squeak to start in the first place). In my initial search for the squeak I removed the steering knuckles and consequently moved the wheels out of alignment. So I had to loosen the line feeding the fluid into the axle in order to realign the wheels with the help of a friend. During that exercise fluid escaped down the line onto the floor which I thought was only a minimal amount. However after the wheels were realigned I failed to top up the reservoir with new hydraulic fluid. My son in law identified the problem and it was easily fixed. Needless to say I was a little embarrassed but anyway the squeak seems to have disappeared, for now at least. Piper 184. I have checked the tray into which I emptied the hub oil and couldn't find anything and thanks for that suggestion. So, I would like to thank you one and all for your valuable input into my dilemma. I am really pleased to have access to this site which I is invaluable to novices like me. Cheers for now.
Jim