axle pivot pin

Don Hooks · Mar 10, 2016

Replacing my TO 30 radiator and this is what I found when I pulled the old one off. Thanks goodness the pin was trapped by the lower radiator frame.

The threads in the bolt hole are gone and I am trying to decide whether to drill it out and tap it or try a Heli-coil - any suggestions?

Richard L · Mar 10, 2016

You certainly decided to replace the radiator at the correct time. Sorry I am not a mechanic.

Tom Bowman · Mar 10, 2016

Don, from the looks of things, you'll probably need to replace the pivot pin and bushing, as well. (I did.)

I had a similar situation to yours, as my new pivot pin required a larger diameter bolt. (The old style pivot pin and axle carrier on the TO-20 used a 7/16" bolt; I think the newer bolt is 5/8".)

I asked my machine shop about drilling and tapping a larger hole in the axle carrier, but I ended up just drilling out the hole, and using a nut and lock washer.

I'll check and see if I have some photos.

Tom Bowman · Mar 10, 2016

Don, here are a few before and after photos.

Don Hooks · Mar 10, 2016

Strangely enough, the old pin and bushing are tight. Apparently it pulled out right at the end of last season and didn't get hurt. I thought about a nut but my axle rides right at the front of the carrier with the wheels set where they are and there is not enough room. By the way, will she magically shine like yours if I put a new pin in????

Don

Tom Bowman · Mar 11, 2016

By the way, will she magically shine like yours if I put a new pin in????

Yes, Don, that new pivot pin will work wonders! :wink:

I hadn't thought of a heli-coil. (Wish I had). That might work.

I was also worried about the axle being too far forward, but it didn't seem to be a problem. (The bolt was already sticking out far enough to put on the nut, anyway.) As you mentioned, it may depend on how wide the front wheels are set.

I'm going to take another look, now that I've been using the tractor for a couple of years.

gears · Mar 11, 2016

Mine was a 7/16" bolt with a bushing the length of thickness of the front flange of the pin.

John(UK) · Mar 13, 2016

Not all the Bolts holding the Pin are the same there are a number of different lengths and diameters used, same applies to Pin and the Bushes too. John(UK) [email protected]

Don Hooks · Mar 13, 2016

What happened? Tom, after seeing your old and new pics I compared pics from 9 years ago when I was reassembling and my axle has moved forward about an inch from that time. I have not crashed but I did have a spindle break last summer and I plowed a few feet with the upright before it stopped. I can't detect any changes in any parts but moving an inch SHOULD cause an obvious change. Anyone see this before? What is the angle of sweep for the axle supposed to be?

Don

Tom Bowman · Mar 13, 2016

(quoted from post at 15:16:49 03/13/16) What happened? Tom, after seeing your old and new pics I compared pics from 9 years ago when I was reassembling and my axle has moved forward about an inch from that time. I have not crashed but I did have a spindle break last summer and I plowed a few feet with the upright before it stopped. I can't detect any changes in any parts but moving an inch SHOULD cause an obvious change. Anyone see this before? What is the angle of sweep for the axle supposed to be?

Don

Don, my "before" photo above was taken before I installed the radius arms. In the photo, it looks like the axle was pushed as far back as it could go. (Probably so I could get a wrench on the nut.)

I just looked at the axle again, and with the radius arms installed, the axle ends up being about halfway up on the pivot pin. (There's still abut a half-inch clearance between the axle and the nut on the pivot pin bolt.)

I tried to take a photo, but there's too much stuff in the way now. (Radiator, etc.)

Please note: I have my front wheels set as narrow as they will go. If yours are set wider, does that move the axle farther forward on the pivot pin?

Tom Bowman · Mar 13, 2016

Sorry, Don, I meant "after" photo.

Don Hooks · Mar 13, 2016

Tom,
My wheels are one set of bolt holes wider than the minimum which would push the axle back some compared to yours but I would have to defer to trig to figure out how much. I put a bid in for a heli-coil kit on eBay and I will go that route if I win it. If not, my brother will weld up the hole for me and I will drill and tap it 5/8" as the original was. Either way I will use the same bolt.

By the way, is the square hole in the carrier below the pin an assembly line thing or does it have a use (other than holding the hood prop spring for a TO 20)?

Don

wellmax99 · Mar 15, 2016

I replaced the bearings on my TO35 pivot pin a few years.
I do not know if it says anywhere; but after that I always keep that pin lubed with graphite
lube, it lubes the joint, but will not attract dirt, so far so good,

do not care to do that again for a few years,

axle pivot pin

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