7245 front axle / diff problems.

[jamesdavies]

Hi all had my 7245 for a while now, but new on here. I have looked today into sorting the kingpin bearings and leaking seals on my front axle. While i have been checking things out i have noticed that the front diff is very notchy if one wheel is turned while the other is stationary. Is it fitted with some kind of auto locking diff or do i need to strip diff out and take a look? The tractor has been stud for around 4 years, and since there is no signs of contamination in the oil or on the magnet plug i have been wondering if it is a problem with the sun and planetery gears/ bearings? If the wheels turn in the same direction, all is smoth and the prop spins, so i would asume the crown wheel and pinion are ok!
Any advice greatly appricated before i strip it all down over the weekend.
James

 

[alan]

Your axle is normal for the auto diff lock type.

 

[jamesdavies]

Hi Alan
Thanks for the heads up, did all 7245 have auto locking front diffs?

 

[alan]

Some but not all

 

[Renze]

If it has oil in the housing, and never had a loader on, its safe to assume the noise is made by the locking diff. A detroit locker was available, and some other type.. cant remember the name.

the day before yesterday the pinion bearing of our 5245 gave up... It has 4000hrs with a loader on it, with allmost constantly turning and twisting in 4wd on concrete surface. Its a known killer for front axles but try to teach that to horse people...

If yours didnt have a loader on it, and has been sitting for 4 years it cant have enough hours to wear out a front diff.

 

[jamesdavies]

Well at 4000hrs with a loader on, then guess im not out of the woods yet. I have done some more testing, and to be honest it seems very much like a locking diff. so think its just fingers crossed and keep going, unless i strip the diff out when i do the seals in the front axle.

 

[Renze]

No rear ballast and allways in tight quarters with 4wd engaged, is what causes ours to wear out prematurely. when only one axle is steered, it makes a wider curve when going around corners than the rear axle, which causes the driveline to wind itself up. This causes greater loads than when delivering full drawbar pull up to the traction limit, when doing tillage.

 

[jamesdavies]

Thanks all, have started to strip the front axle, any idea's on the best place to get seals and pos kinhpin bearing from in the UK?

 

[Renze]

kingpin bearings are standard industrial tapered bearings. I drilled a grease zerk to the stub when i had it open anyways. drilled it through the center, then drilled perpendicular to be able to put the zerk horizontally on the inward side of the plate, and closed the main channel on the bottom side with a short bolt, to prevent leakage of grease between bearing pad and mudguard bracket.

because of the rubber dust boot it keeps grease real well, it bellied out quite when i pumped it full... so maybe it isnt even necessary to make it regreasable.

 

[jamesdavies]

Thanks for the info. I had thought about making them greaseable. Are the seals standard industrial seald to?

 

[Renze]

no, a custom rubber ring, about 15mm high.

 

[jamesdavies]

Thanks looks like i will need to do some shopping!!
Any body able to advise on removing the front alxe half hafts? I have removed the swivel ass. but the shaft does not seem to want to slide out of the diff. I need to remove it as the seal has gone to the axle casing. Is there any form of fixing at the diff end, or is it just stuck with standing?
Any help appriciated

 

[ixer0]

Hi,

It has a locking screw at the outer end on the side of the axle. Probably a screw with a screwdriver slot and locknut. There is also a circlip in the end of the axle holding it in. Best of luck getting that out !!!

Mike

 

[jamesdavies]

Thanks for the heads up. Is the circlip diff end then, if so I take it you get at it from what looks like an inspection hatch opposite the diff pinion.

 

[ixer0]

Hi
No it,s not diff end. It is at the outer end, in behind the universal joint yoke.
Mike