Kubota's diabolical plot.

[PointyHairedBoss]

I just installed a new tie rod dust cover on my B21. Has anyone out there used the clip that Kubota supplies with the cover? If so, I'd love to see how you installed it.

I'm new to tractor repairs but so far I've done a few jobs that were mildly complicated for me - I changed an oil seal in the front bevel gear case, some bushings & pins in the backhoe all successfully albeit with a few diversions. But the design of this clip seems like a sadistic plot by Kubota to drive you insane. It doesn't seem possible to expand the clip enough to get it on to the dust cover without bending it even when it is dry & you can get a good grip on it. But its not dry when you are installing it - its gets coated with grease oozing out of the dust cover.

Anyways, I gave up on the clip & MacGyvered a skinny tie wrap to secure the dust cover. Should work OK.

I think this clip is a diabolical plot by Kubota to make you give up & just buy a whole new tractor.

 

[Craig Clayton]

Did the orginal boot use the same method to hold the rubber on? I have an older pair of pliers that have flat ends that you squeeze them they push apart.
Craig Clayton

 

[KennyV]

The loose coil will roll in place, takes a bit of doing but holds very good once in place...
The nytie you used should work fine. KennyV

 

[Baby Grand]

The loose coil will roll in place, takes a bit of doing but holds very good once in place...
The nytie you used should work fine. KennyV

Oh, but first you've got to pack the boot with lots of grease. Don't skimp. Put enough in there so that it oozes out all over the outside of the boot & both your hands when you slip it over the tie rod end. Now you're ready to play "catch the greased piggy" with the snap ring.

-Jim

 

[Agrantina]

Yes-they can been FUN to get on... I used a SMALL screw driver- for eye glasses.. Started with on end over the edge of the boot and took the small screw driver and carefully rolled it along the clip over the boot edge. Kinda like rolling a bike chain back on the sprocket... Either way the tie work also...


AndyG

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

... play "catch the greased piggy" ...

-Jim

I've played "catch the greased pig".
It was easier.

 

[kcender]

I've had to replace that little ring a couple of times.Neither time was very easy but I was able to do it with a pick that had a circular hook on it.This allowed me to work the clip on without worrying about poking a hole in the boot as the sharpened point was away from the rubber.There might be a better way but this worked for me.

 

[dstig1]

OK, admitting I haven't done this type of clip...

How about just putting it around the main shaft to start (the thinner part in the rear of the pic)? Then once you have it around the shaft, spread it open and slide it into place over the tie rod end and boot. Looking at the pic, that's what I would try. It might take a mod to a pair of external snap ring pliers to make it work easily. Possibly hose clamp pliers would do it too. Or maybe just some duct tape protection on the finger tips...

 

[Samandothers]

As stated before, I rolled mine on after getting the edge started. i was afraid I would tear the dust cover. It worked out and I was able to get it on. I like the platic tie that looks like quicker easier alternative.

 

[rpraymond]

My but your hands are clean! :laughing:

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

OK, admitting I haven't done this type of clip...

How about just putting it around the main shaft to start (the thinner part in the rear of the pic)? Then once you have it around the shaft, spread it open and slide it into place over the tie rod end and boot. Looking at the pic, that's what I would try. It might take a mod to a pair of external snap ring pliers to make it work easily. Possibly hose clamp pliers would do it too. Or maybe just some duct tape protection on the finger tips...

If you ever have the opportunity, please try all your suggestions.
Then call me from the insane asylum.

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

My but your hands are clean! :laughing:

But my language wasn't. :mur:

 

[dstig1]

If you ever have the opportunity, please try all your suggestions.
Then call me from the insane asylum.

That bad, eh? :laughing: I really hate snap rings. Even with all types of different snap ring pliers they go on FAR easier than they come off. Especially the internal ones. I fought for an hour getting one out of a deep well on a tiller rebuild I did for a friend. Grrrrrr. I know from where you are coming...

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

That bad, eh? :laughing: I really hate snap rings. Even with all types of different snap ring pliers they go on FAR easier than they come off. Especially the internal ones. I fought for an hour getting one out of a deep well on a tiller rebuild I did for a friend. Grrrrrr. I know from where you are coming...

It would be OK if it was a regular snap ring. Have a look at the photo - its just a double loop of super hard, springgy wire with nothing to grab on to. To top it off it has a full coating of grease just to further torment you.

 

[pdowling1]

You should use a black cable tie. The white ones are not UV resistant and will get brittle and fail after a while if exposed to sunlight.

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

You should use a black cable tie. The white ones are not UV resistant and will get brittle and fail after a while if exposed to sunlight.

Good idea. It was all I had at the time but I'll swap it out for a UV resistant one later.

 

[two_bit_score]

They always have something up their sleeve.

 

[KUBOTA OWNER]

I thought i was the only one going nuts trying to install this, I tried both greased and the cleaned everything off and tried again, thinking i can fill it with a grease gun needle when finished. Still had no luck. Desided that if i did get it on the boot would have a hole in it or the snap ring would be too bent out of shape to stay on. --funny I did the tie-rap about 2 yrs ago an did use a black one, still working. I only used black because I din't want anyone to notice that i could not get the correct snap ring on-- ring is more like a ring to hold your car keys together not a true snap ring. ---lots of credit to those that were able to install the correct ring. ---

 

[RobbieBones]

I did mine awhile back but I remember using two separate pieces of 24gage wire looped and slide it around the ring, then hold each piece used it to slightly pull the ring open once I got it started your able to slide the wire around on the ring and guide it into position at the same time. Then just keep on going round until it comes of the end on the ring. I hope that makes sense.