Here goes.. or there goes 4x4

[Desert Bred]

Alright i'm venturing into unchartered territory with terms and definitions and as a 1) new tractor owner 2) limited in mechanical experience 3) not much of a manual for my chinese tractor
so...
After a lot of picking up dirt and transporting it, as well as transporting brick with the front loader forks, tonight I was pushing into a pile of dirt when a clunking noise started.

Lo and behold I checked it out and it happens only when 4x4 is engaged. The front left wheel assembly had a snapped bolt and a loose bolt and a cracked housing (?term?)
I am posting a main pic to see if anyone could answer ... that the gap that has occured (indicated by the purple arrows and is where 'A' and 'B' are adjoined) can cause the 4x4 to slip.. duh.. probably.

 

[sd455dan]

It looks like- you broke the
(right side -final drive reduction housing) of the front axle assembly

 

[Desert Bred]

thanks sd- i took the final drive reduction housing apart --('A' in the pic above) -and found what is may be a bearing gear that has a few teeth broken (not completely though) and a broken o-ring measuring 11" long (or 5.5" diameter) not knowing the o.d(?) of the o-ring.

the wheel is off and the gears within that final drive reduction housing of the front wheel appear fine. (?)

Question- the oil that came out from that assembly is not hydraulic oil i'm assuming because it was dark. but metallic looking. i'm new to this completely so the question is where does the oil come from?

i'm next trying to remove that broken bolt from the final drive reduction housing of the front axle that i removed. ('B' in the pic)

 

[Baby Grand]

The front axle is most likely a separate bearing compartment and has it's own oil supply. Usually there's a fill plug near the top and a drain plug down low. I use gear oil in my front axles, but many can take hydraulic oil. Gear oil has a distinctive odor due to sulfur based lubricity additives.
Make sure you get all the "glitter" out of the compartment before you fill it back up with oil. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Those same bolts loosened up on my LS P7010 twice on the left side. Luckily I noticed them before any damage was done.. The last time it happened it had one broken bolt, one bent and all of them loose. I bought all new 10.8 grade bolts for both sides, some Swedish made two piece lock washers (cant remember the actual name but they have been discussed here on TBN) and blue Loctite. It cost me about $70 for all the materials but I don't expect them to come loose again.

 

[Desert Bred]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. I was able to get it fixed minus the leaking seals.. turns out the broken bolt was a dowl pin. I drained the oil, swished some diesel in there. now will look for a refill plug (thanks BG I didn't know what kind of oil)- -
Gary- good to know that someone else had them loosen and not have anything break. Yes there were many bolts loose and loctite is noted to use when the seals are replaced.

:thumbsup:

 

[Baby Grand]

Those same bolts loosened up on my LS P7010 twice on the left side. Luckily I noticed them before any damage was done.. The last time it happened it had one broken bolt, one bent and all of them loose. I bought all new 10.8 grade bolts for both sides, some Swedish made two piece lock washers (cant remember the actual name but they have been discussed here on TBN) and blue Loctite. It cost me about $70 for all the materials but I don't expect them to come loose again.

Were the washers Nord-Locks?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Were the washers Nord-Locks?

Yep, that was the ones. Got them from Fastenal. They weren't cheap at $2 each but they seem to be good quality and much better than the split ring type.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the help. I was able to get it fixed minus the leaking seals.. turns out the broken bolt was a dowl pin. I drained the oil, swished some diesel in there. now will look for a refill plug (thanks BG I didn't know what kind of oil)- -
Gary- good to know that someone else had them loosen and not have anything break. Yes there were many bolts loose and loctite is noted to use when the seals are replaced.

:thumbsup:

Are you sure that is a dowel pin? My tractor had one bolt that was longer than the rest and it was on the bottom, but it did unscrew easily. I have never seen a tractor with a dowel pin on the bottom and am almost positive that yours will be a long bolt so you wont see threads on it. Try to unscrew it and I believe you will find it to be a bolt. Opposite side should be the same way .

 

[orangeandgreen]

You replaced that gear didn't you? I was always told. "if you don't fix it right the first time, you'll get to fix it again"