Front axle is locking up

alaskanjdeere · Sep 5, 2006

Hi everyone, I've got a 4410 with 212hr. The fault light started flashin a couple weeks ago with (.--. short long long short) which appears to be MFWD speed sensor? So today I'm out working in 2 wheel drive and the front axle start making poping noises I check the fluid and its OK I started to drive forward and the front wheels lockup ,they roll fine in REV, So I start going forward again and this time the front rt is going forward and the left side start going backwards? Mind you I'm on wet grass so theres not much force on them, I hope!.... I was able a engage 4x4 and drive normal. Anyone else have this happen? Is this a sensor,Front axle or a transmission (ehrdro) issue? Thanks for any Ideas I'm reading the manuals as we speak????

Shawn

lwalsh · Sep 5, 2006

This has to be a front differential/axle problem. Tranny can't make the wheels go in opposite directions. The only driving I would do is on to a trailer and to the dealership to avoid more costly damage.

ovrszd · Sep 5, 2006

lwalsh said:
This has to be a front differential/axle problem. Tranny can't make the wheels go in opposite directions. The only driving I would do is on to a trailer and to the dealership to avoid more costly damage.

Yep, you have had a castrophic failure in the front differential. Particularly the spider gears which allow the front wheels to turn at different speeds. Either the spider gear pin is broken or one of the spider gears itself is broken would be my guess. The reason they both went forward when you engaged MFWD was that you forced them to. When it locked up the pin slid out until it hit the case or the broken gear got picked up between the teeth of two other gears.

Do not force this issue. If it locks up, gently back until it is free, then gently go forward again until you can get it on a trailer. If you force this issue, you will probably break the cast iron front axle case!!!

takinadvantage · Sep 5, 2006

I had it happen to me on my 3520 last year with about 25 hours on the machine. A bolt backed out inside the front differential and got into the spider gear. I could run in 4WD but it made a heck of a noise. JD replaced the entire front axle assembly. Get it to the dealer quick!!