KAMA 554 Front Drive Repair

[3RRL]

What started out as a nice weather weekend soon changed.
After cleaning each part I started to assemble the individual gears and pressing bearings into their races etc. I was able to use one of the home made milling/grinding vises I had at camp for much of that.
One of the time consuming assemblies was putting in each individual roller for the needle bearing inside the cast hub. I greased up the inside sleeve and also my fingers so I could pick those little rollers up and stick them in place. Then I inserted the shaft which fit back in nicely.
Anyway, I got to a point where I could start assembling the hub and front drive housings when it started to get dark.

 

[3RRL]

It really didn't take as long as I thought, but working under the circumstances of snow, hail and rain the next day, I found it quite annoying. At first I put on my rain gear and continue working out by the tractor. It got so wet and muddy that I decided to move all that crap (again) onto the tent decks and use the dinner table to finsh assembling the front drives. Of course we had to clean the components from splattering mud (again) before continuing. Here are a couple shots of that and the night before.



It got pretty bad and Loretta decided to take a video of the hail storm and rain to show what it was like trying to work near the tractor during this crap.
Of course Wes was just having a blast running around in this stuff.

 

[3RRL]

To end the story, I finally got the front drives back on each side and re-mounted the tires. I had set all the gear to gear clearances by hand, feeling for gear movement and play so it would not be too tight. I ended up using less shims in every place than were there before.
I also reconnected the tie rod and ends and power steering cylinder. I checked and adjusted the toe-in to about 1/2" narrower in front than in back of the tires. I did not do anything to the tie rod holes in the casting, deciding I could do that later, but snugged them down with washer spacers to be sure they were tight. You can see I tried it out in the deep mud already.

 

[3RRL]

I wanted to get the tractor back up and running so I could get to doing some road repair from the water damage. I managed to get the Kama knee deep in the mud, trying out the front drives. Everything worked perfect again so once again, I am a happy camper.

The week after that Ken(quikduk) came up and used the tractor and even cut some deep gutters with it.
I don't think he even realized I had just done that repair.

 

[EddieWalker]

Rob,

Nice job and an impressive demostration of perseverance!!! When it gets cold and wet out, I call it a day.

Thanks for the update and congrats on getting your Kama fixed.

Eddie

 

[dfkrug]

Wow, what awful working conditions! Glad you got it back together and
working. What is that implement connected to the rear of your box blade?
Did I miss a whole thread?

 

[Flyhiflylo]

Rob, still waiting for the mud bog story????

 

[shvl73]

Conratulations on completing the job! I'm impressed with your stick with it determination. The last photo really shows the feeling of satisfaction.

 

[tommu56]

Rob

Great thread as usual!

With all that mud on your machine I dont think the dish washer will cut it any more you will have to switch to this.

Touch Free Car Wash-Dynawash Express|AOK Equipment


tom

 

[schmalts]

Nice job on the repair. Looks like you have some nice land, need any hogs removed??