Lube for front axle pivot bearing

maxwell99

Well-known Member
TO35 lube of front axle pivot bearing question

Napa has spray graphite in both wet or dry

Service tech said I needed wet, but I figured I needed dry as I thought the purpose of the lube was to use dry lube so it would not collect dirt
and dust to wear out the bearing,

Which should I use on this pivot bearing?????
 
Thanks for the responses,

Dry graphite is what I bought and plan to use, I have replaced this bushing once and do not want that job again,

Still wonder why Harry did not specify a grease zerk for this wear point, other tractors I have had owned had grease zerks on the pivot bearing,
 
If you would put a grease fitting in and grease it right it will forum a dust seal that will last longer than a dry bushing. The only trouble is most people don't like to grease things and some are to lazy to use one.
 
grease holds dirt. more grease, more dirt, more wear. Dry graphite at the most. Grease zerk looks pretty. Shiny. destructive. Don't do it.
 
From the previous owner of my TO30 having a front loader , it had worn a oval shape hole in the perfect up and down pattern, bushing long gone. Was able to have an experienced machinist bore that out to round and make a stainless bushing pressed in from both sides.
No more loader for me..
 
You don't know how to use greased bushing. If you grease it right the grease forums a dust seal around the outside edges so that dirt won't get into bushing.
 
I looked in my 1957 TO 35 owners manual at required lube points,
Nowhere did it mention any type lube for the front axle pivot bearing,

But question: what do you do when the joint is squeaking, I do not like to hear the noise?

I can jack up the front axle, this lets the normal mating surface open as the front axle is off the ground,
I fully coat the bearing with dry graphite, the noise goes away for a long time

I do not like to hear a bearing grinding away on itself, just not in my nature, knowing what a pain this bearing is to replace

Just my two cents, I will continue to give it a doce of dry graphite when it starts making noise, just appears to be responsible preventive maintenance to me,
 
If you replace it with a greaseable bushing and grease it every time you service tractor you will never have to replace bushings or have a squeaking. The grease will make a dust seal so water and dirt can't get into bushing.
 
D, I hope to never have to replace the pivot bearing again as long as I own the tractor, but if I do I will add a grease zerk to the bearing,

It is a pain listening to it squeak when it gets dry and then having to spray graphite onto the bearing

However a proper bearing would have grease rings cut into it so grease would be retained in the bearing, I would not be able to do that myself,
 
(quoted from post at 17:56:55 09/01/16) If you replace it with a greaseable bushing and grease it every time you service tractor you will never have to replace bushings or have a squeaking. The grease will make a dust seal so water and dirt can't get into bushing.

That is what I did and do. My tractor doesn't work any fields it pulls a trailer to pick up sticks and branches, rake for the leaves in the fall on my property and a box blade to level the driveway.
 

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