John Deere 5205 Top Link Repair

[ridgerambler]

Was able to dig into this a little more this evening. Bigger vise, little penetrating oil and cheater pipe allowed for backing both ends all the way out. Turns out there was a roll pin in each end, but was able to back all the way out anyway. With more penetrating oil was able to thread both all the way in which required more cheater pipe at times. End result is back in service. I believe continued use and lubricant will help it get even better in time. I can remember the top link seeming to be froze up 15+ years ago when I borrowed this tractor from original owner. Guessing it just needed some elbow grease and using.

Glad you were able to get original center link back to working. I have a 2003 5205 and my center link is just like yours except it does not have the roll pins in each end link, but it does have the rubber plugs which I remove to spray a lubricating oil periodically. Mine is missing the spring type adjusting device in the center. Be thankful you did not order a replacement from the dealer. I did and when it came it was exactly like the made in China top link that TSC sells painted green but costing close to $150. When I left it was still at the dealer and my money was still in my back pocket. I did notice your tractor has the telescoping draft links and mine does not, but I wish it did. How do you like them? I have Pat's quick hitch on mine but I think I would like the telescoping links better.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Jeez, scrap it and install a hydraulic top link. You'll never go back.

 

[dodge man]

It seems like all the top links I’ve seen both ends are identical, one of yours is different. I wonder if one was bent and replaced with a different one.

 

[Lavender Valley]

Have had this happen, the hole that the turning handle lets dust and water get in, the lower one seizes first then the top one and they won't screw out as the threads inside are full of dirt and rust from the water. I did free one up by putting penetrating oil into the tube.

 

[deere5105]

Glad you were able to get original center link back to working. I have a 2003 5205 and my center link is just like yours except it does not have the roll pins in each end link, but it does have the rubber plugs which I remove to spray a lubricating oil periodically. Mine is missing the spring type adjusting device in the center. Be thankful you did not order a replacement from the dealer. I did and when it came it was exactly like the made in China top link that TSC sells painted green but costing close to $150. When I left it was still at the dealer and my money was still in my back pocket. I did notice your tractor has the telescoping draft links and mine does not, but I wish it did. How do you like them? I have Pat's quick hitch on mine but I think I would like the telescoping links better.

I like the telescoping ends.

My 5303 has fixed ends. I bought the Pat’s set up for it and wound up taking them off. Was nice for connecting to the implements, but I wound up having my rotary cutter come off several times on one side and couldn’t determine why to stop it from happening.

 

[beenthere]

I have every 3pt attachment (rototiller, brush cutter, chipper, turbosaw, landscape rake, ballast box, carry-all, forks) fitted to easily pick up with the i-Match frame.
As well, my logging tongs fit well on the i-Match hook and makes dragging in logs from the woods or when retrieving stuck vehicles on that rare occasion (like the UPS truck) handy tractor tasks.

 

[sixdogs]

Was able to dig into this a little more this evening. Bigger vise, little penetrating oil and cheater pipe allowed for backing both ends all the way out. Turns out there was a roll pin in each end, but was able to back all the way out anyway. With more penetrating oil was able to thread both all the way in which required more cheater pipe at times. End result is back in service. I believe continued use and lubricant will help it get even better in time. I can remember the top link seeming to be froze up 15+ years ago when I borrowed this tractor from original owner. Guessing it just needed some elbow grease and using.

It's not often you get a happy ending on equipment these days. I had a 2002, JD 5520 with similar problem and similar solution. Some times you just have to keep at things till they work again. Fast substitution of parts often gets lesser quality and lesser results when using.

And yes, JD parts are stratosphere-priced. I'm afraid to own a new one with electronics.

 

[beenthere]

It's a myth that JD parts are "stratosphere" priced, especially when buying parts for other manufacturer's equipment.

JD known for having parts for it's tractors well into the past (not all parts, but many can be looked up and found available for vintage models). It is indeed expensive to warehouse parts for 50-60 years, and even my '58 JD 420C and 420U when I owned them.
Wonder if just looking up parts on the JD parts site has any equal among the Kubota, Ford, or CaseIH brands. None of that is cheap to maintain but great to have available for free.

Some find it entertaining to bad-mouth JD, but does no good in the end. Many find out the hard way in the long-run.

 

[deere5105]

It seems like all the top links I’ve seen both ends are identical, one of yours is different. I wonder if one was bent and replaced with a different one.

Good catch. I noticed that too. I checked my 5303 to see if it was the same and it was. I put the 5205 on the same way/direction.