Front End Clunk

Dellbertt

Member
"52 Red Cub. I have not been on forum in a long time, thought I would drop in for a visit.
Haven't driven the cub much this summer other than a couple times mowing. Today I took a trailer load back to the burn pile. Been dry and the lane is
hard and choppy. I have a very loud clunk that sounds like it is coming from front center bottom where the axle attaches to the frame. The clunk happens
at very slow speeds as well as fast. Any sharp bump will do it.
Back in the barn I greased the whole front steering and checked steering box grease level. I swore there is a grease fitting under the front center at
the axle attachment shaft but I can't find it.
The steering is tight and good. There always was a tiny clunk on big bumps but this is way different. I can feel this jolt in the steering wheel and the
foot platform. It sounds and feels like something is loose and about to come apart or break. Actually it feels like the front axle is about to drop off.

What is it and what's the fix.

Thanks,
Dell
 
The diagram shows bushings in the center, but no zerk. It may need rebuilt, new bushings and a new pin. Parts may need to be made, but simple. Jim
Parts Dia.
 
Be sure and check the wheel bearings for looseness as well. My A has a piece cracked off where the inner cup seats. Yours could be completely broken off creating the looseness.
 
It could be the outer axle pivoting forward and back in the inner axle if the bolts are not tight enough. The pin through the axle keeps it from going too far but wears over time and starts to move more and make more of a clunk as it does.
 
The front steering linkage, wheel bearings, hubs and 5 bolt plate are all secure.
EZ out made short work of the broken grease fitting on the right side pivot shaft housing.
There is a washer at each end of the shaft and enough end to end slop for another washer.
I have a Woods 59 installed and difficult to jack at flywheel.
1. Is it ok to jack on the engine block just in front of oil pan using a block of wood.
2. Would you recommend adding the third washer to the pivot shaft at front or rear position.
3. I assume you loosen the friction bracket bolts on each end of the shaft housing before you try driving the shaft fore and aft.
I see the bushing are the split type so they should come out fairly easy.
Think I will start with just the washer and grease unless the bushings just fall out.

Thanks,
Dell
 
Had a thin washer 7/8 ID x 1 3/8 OD that took up the slop perfect on pivot shaft, so there are now 3 washers on shaft.
Difficult part of job was realigning the shaft bolts. Finally made a persuader by cutting off the head of a 5/16 bolt and beveling the head then tapped it through which allowed the bolts to slip in easily.
Installed grease through new fitting and took it for a ride.
Absolutely now noise or clunk at all.
I think in order of importance to the fix was repairing the grease fitting and installing grease as a cushion. Taking the fore / aft slop was important also. When I jacked the tractor up I did not notice any up and down slop so I think the bushings are not an issue at this time.

Thanks everyone for the help and advice, it made the job a lot easier.

Dell
 

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