Jinma 284LE Front Wheel Lockup Repair

[skuter]

I am posting this for reference in case any else has this type of problem

The Story So Far:

Two winters ago, I noticed that the right front wheel would occasionally lock up and then free itself automatically. I had originally thought that it was only when I was in 4 wheel drive, so I used 4WD sparingly until I could get around to fixing it.

Well we went to California for a year and the tractor sat in the yard. When I returned this winter, we had two major snowstorms, both over 2 feet of snow. When plowing the driveway with the loader, the right front wheel would occasionally lock up, but then it free itself as before. Not a good thing I thought. I though I had better get this fixed soon before I need to do heavy summer work. I also noticed doing some light work this spring that,when I drive there is a clicking sound on the right front side, so I decided now is the time to fix it.

I jacked up the from and took off the wheel hub and the knuckle arm. So far all the bearings look good to me.



When I spin the left tire, I can hear some clicking in the right side, so it must further inside the front wheel housing underneath the bearing with the bolt on it.



After a week of rain here in Massachusetts, I was finally able to get back outside to work on the tractor again.

The first thing I did was to disconnect the tie bar and remove the top bolt on the bearing in the picture. Reading on the tractor blogs that the bottom would drop out after I undid the bolt, I used a car scissors jack to hold it up so I could lower it easily.



Immediately, all the weight was on the scissors jack so I just lowered it down in a controlled manner. Upon inspection, I knew I was getting closer because of the score marks on the shaft.




Next step was to unbolt the shaft housing from the axle. After undoing the bolts and slowly tapping the housing away, two gear pieces fell out. Eureka! The problem identified! Here is the gear with the pieces missing. The bearing on this piece appears OK to me.



Its mate also shows some minor damage and the bearing is a little rough. I will probably have to replace both driven gear & its bearing.



Now I also need to find a friend with a bearing press and removal tools. I also have to clean up the parts, make a parts lists of what I need (i.e. gaskets, bearings, seals, etc) and order them from someone online.

Will post more as I continue with the repair and get more time

 

[EE_Bota]

I am posting this for reference in case any else has this type of problem

The Story So Far:

Very nicely done, good write-up and great pictures. I will soon go into the same area, and your tear down is very clear. My right front tire is wobbly, and I will not have to go in quite as far, but still, you have increased my confidence. I wish you were closer...I have a press and stuff...and I'd love to help and see the job.

 

[skuter]

Thanks for the comments. I was apprehensive initially, but after researching about this repair on this and other tractor boards, I figured I could handle it. It was easier and less complicated that I had anticipated. It all makes sense once you see it done.

These online forums contain a wealth of information. Thanks to everyone.

 

[skuter]

Just ordered my parts I need from Tommy at Affordable Tractors (Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company). He had all the parts in stock and I should get them next week. I will post pics of the re-assembly.

 

[EE_Bota]

Just ordered my parts I need from Tommy at Affordable Tractors (Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company). He had all the parts in stock and I should get them next week. I will post pics of the re-assembly.

I placed and order once, and sent a message I was looking for a tool box. The order was filled before they happened upon a box, but lo and behold, a tool box showed-up out of the blue, gratis, with a note that said "I hope your are doing better" and it was exactly what I needed. Tommy was also very patient with me when I could not speak over the phone. He dealt with my E-mails and messages I added to orders. He called once to get a better description of how the box was supposed to mount. I sent a picture...so he even did extra work just to give me that gift. That's just darn nice, that's what that was.

I took a picture of the tool box and I was going to post it, but a couple of days later, someone broke in and stole the camera, and the computers, and several other things, and the next day I got very bad medical news, and it's just been a whirlwind since then. But I did want to mention it at least, and say thanks to Tommy for being kind to me when I could have used a bit of kindness.

 

[Rich Waugh]

I'm not the least bit surprised Tommy did that, Ed. He's always bent over backwards to help me when I've had questions and saved me a lot of aggravation that way. I know a few people think I go overboard in recommending him all the time, but I think his generosity deserves at least the reward of having business referred his way.

I hope things are looking a bit better for you on the health front. So far, I seem to be okay after the chemo, rads and neck surgery, but I doubt that I'll ever quit looking over my shoulder to see what's coming to get me.:confused3:

 

[EE_Bota]

I'm not the least bit surprised Tommy did that, Ed. He's always bent over backwards to help me when I've had questions and saved me a lot of aggravation that way. I know a few people think I go overboard in recommending him all the time, but I think his generosity deserves at least the reward of having business referred his way.

I hope things are looking a bit better for you on the health front. So far, I seem to be okay after the chemo, rads and neck surgery, but I doubt that I'll ever quit looking over my shoulder to see what's coming to get me.:confused3:

I'm so glad to hear that, Rich. I did wonder many times how it came out.

As for me, everyone including the doctors are very pleased with my response to the treatments. I am at work again, for around 2 weeks now. I only have my "normal" pain, not any of the new ones. I can do an 8 hour day, and that may not sound like Nirvana for most folks but to be completely honest, I didn't think I'd be alive at this point. So to me, being able to do an 8 hour work day looks pretty miraculous. They gave me such a low chance of living (and that has not been rescinded) and I was starving before I ever got in for treatment, and lost 45 lbs pretty quickly. I was lighter than I had been since age 15, getting down to 136 fully dressed, pockets full.

There were tough times and good times too. Good times were mostly simple things like pain reliever finally working or a fire when I was freezing...never underestimate simple things like fire. Myself, friends, and family made sure there was always either a fire ongoing, or one that required only a match. I have a state of the art heat pump, so there is more to a fire than heat, and we all knew it: it became a proxy for my life, and friends and family were stacking the wood pretty darn high on my patio and in my wood box.

It's too hot for a fire now, but I sure miss them.