HELP!! 1900 front axle

[Hooked_on_HP]

I had to replace thefront ring and pinion in my 1900.I totaly removed and disassembled the complete front axle. Everything was going fine on reassembly untill I tried to install the final drive. I cannot get the coupler(ujoint) lined up with the axle and the pinion. I tried putting it on the axle first then installing the final drive. No good. Then I tried putting the coupler on the final drive first with same result. This is in the ball and socket on the end of the axle where when you lift it up to install it you can't see what you are doing. All the service manual says is install coupler. There has to be a trick to this.
Bill

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Well after 4hrs of cussing and trying different ideas I finaly got both sides together. The final procedure was place coupler on axle, take a shop rag ball it up and put it under hanging end of coupler to hold it level. Then raise final drive into position with engine hoist and gently try to push together while turning hub to line up splines.Repeat as many times as necessary( 3-5 rag didn't always stay in place) After finaly getting splines lined up and final drive in position with kingpin in, reach in with a pair of forcepts and pull shop rag out. I am shure this is not the procedure N/H uses but it worked for me
Bill

 

[jimmysisson]

What was the cause of failure? I sure don't want to have to do what you describe! How many hours, etc. Thanks, Jim

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

The cause was operator error. I digging out a stump. I got the bucket under it and when I curled the bucket I picked the back of the tractor with box blade off the ground. The stump was starting to move so I kept going, mistake!!! It made a loud pop and jumped a couple of times. I pushed the clutch in and shut off the tractor. I had a pretty good idea of what happened because I've broke a lot of ring and pinions in the racecar. I just didn't expect it to be so expensive. I can buy pro gears for the racecar for 1/2 what I paid for the one for the tractor.
Bill

 

[jimmysisson]

Those parts prices have been remarked on here many times, probably because it's kind of rare that people need them. In a drag car you'd expect to blow a few over the years. Thanks, Jim