TS1610F Front Axle Knuckle Rebuild in Process....Help Needed!

[Waterlogged]

OK, the front knuckle is apart and the gears look great but there is definately some wear on the bearing surfaces. It's obviously been apart before since the seal is a National (USA) brand.

Horizontal play....there is a sleeve in the knuckle. Is this a factory part or was it installed by someone else and requires a speedi-sleeve or similar? Is there a simple way to remove the current sleeve?

Vertical play....thrust bearing and top radial bearing look good. Do I need to shim the setup due to wear in the casting? Best place to add shims? I've included pictures for reference.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Waterlogged]

Here are the pictures.

 

[larso1]

Well, looking at the first photo, it almost looks to me like the lower half of the sleeve on the "knuckle" is gone....worn away I guess? It should be long enough to fit fully into the seal. I'm sure a machine shop can remove what's left of the sleeve without damaging the knuckle surface, but my original sleeve had a rubber/plastic inner surface that contacts the knuckle. Will not slide off, but maybe it can be cut off carefully with a Dremel or some other clever way? Fortunately, the new sleeve will cover any surface nicks you may create by removing the old sleeve. The Speedi-sleeve fits so tight it actually stretches over the knuckle OD. May be the same for the OEM piece.

You will probably have to replace the bronze sleeve (oil-lite bearing material) that is pressed into the lower casting shown in photo #2. (I bought the OEM pieces from the Hawaiian distributor, but they are available from gray market dealers here on the mainland as well.) This should remove most of the horizontal play. But, if the knuckle OD is very worn, the knuckle too will either have to be sleeved in steel or the bronze bearing in the lower casting will need to have a smaller ID for a decent fit without play.

Bill

 

[Waterlogged]

Thanks for the info. I'm curious about the speedi-sleeve on the spindle. Did it come from the factory that way? I don't believe there is one on my spindle and would be surprised if Iseki used them. Anyone have a diagram from the parts manual showing the assembly?

 

[larso1]

".....original sleeve had a rubber/plastic inner surface that contacts the knuckle."

Yes, it came with the sleeve. That's what is seen at the top of your king pin in the first photo. It's not a "Speedi-sleeve," but a Japanese piece just like it with the addition of rubber material on the inner face. It originally came with the seal as a two-piece assembly. The seal is 50mm ID x 68mm OD x 9mm wide. If you buy a Speedi-sleeve, it should be a 50mm ID. IF you buy the original two piece Japanese assembly it is a Bolens Part No. 1862549.

Bill

 

[Waterlogged]

Thanks again. FYI for anyone else who attempts this project.....I was able to use a stock National or CR brand seal at $8 apiece. Derrick of Rainbow provided me with the bushing dimensions and recommended that I purchase a stock one locally or machine my own which I will do. EFC Construction was also very helpful but didn't have the parts and referred me to Rainbow. Kudos to both.

 

[larso1]

One other point on the bushing. I just remembered that the original has a steel backing on the OD side. A local machinist told me it helps maintain the round shape under load and without it can cause the bushing to work out of the casting. Just FYI.

Bill