800 Front Axle Pivot

Billy NY

Well-known Member
While I'm at it, after doing the spindles, I should do the front axle pivot pin on this tractor, which to be quite frank, I wish I could replace at this point, but..... LOL we all know how that can be!

Anyone know if Pete Pfeiffer still offers the repair pieces for the cradle ? I have a spare cradle I got on the cheap, but wore, has the threaded pin, I assumed the '55 850 is the same. The center axle piece, is likely oval or out of tolerance, I can see the free play. IF so, what is the repair for that, or is it reasonable to assume the after market center piece would be just as good. At that point, just an axle bushing, the pin, and repaired cradle, seems relatively easy. Headed over to get that spindle off now, then make a parts order, nothing worse than looking in a field and seeing your tractor dead in the water LOL !
 
Pete still sells the repair plates on Fleabay. In fact he has lowered the price for them. He used to charge $100 and the last time I saw them they were $90.
If the hole in the axle is wallowed out you can have it machined oversize and a bushing made to return it to standard. The machine work will probably cost more than a used axle piece that is still in good shape.
 
I looked back into some older posts and I finally found his ebay site, none were listed, probably best to contact him. Not a real hard thing to make, but it sure has to be a common repair on these, I am surprised no part supplier or mfr makes these, makes a niche market for him and thats a good thing. I'm leaning towards a new center piece, if I were to find one used, which would be fine, my concern, especially if found on the net, you really need to take a measurement with a micrometer or something to insure its within tolerance, standard bushing, and or trust someone else who measured the salvage part and will state that its good.

This tractor was about junk when I got it, and 11 years later, having a loader on since new or close to it, hard to imagine given the play the center has to be well worn. I'll keep an eye out, but it seems a new one would be easier, rebuild the core cradle I have and with the rest of the parts, it should be plug and play so to speak. Plan is the spindles first, at least one, move to the garage, then do the rest, thinking at least when done I won't have to worry about that front end coming apart !
 
I am not much for farmerizing anything...

The issue is I have never had my hands on a good axle support for a 800 and folks get sticker shock when I tell them the price to fix it right...

I use a 8N axle pin and weld it in on the back side... Worst case you can cut the welds out and are were you started...
 
I"ve repaired a couple of Ford front axle supports with good results using Pfeiffer"s repair plates.

You must take your time and make sure that things are properly aligned.

Dean
 
I see that, looking at the spare/core, line bore situation, I was wondering what the trick to that was, using the pin to locate it, then tack the edges so they don't warp with heat, then stitch weld or enough to hold it, but not over do it so you can remove it again if ever needed.
 
After drilling out the welds, I attached the plates using grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers.

I then installed the axle pin before tightening the bolts.

Only then did I weld the plates in place.

I left the bolts in place.

Worked well, but tolerances are close and it would be easy to end up with misaligned plates rendering pin installation impossible.

Dean
 
(quoted from post at 09:49:25 07/17/13) I"ve repaired a couple of Ford front axle supports with good results using Pfeiffer"s repair plates.

You must take your time and make sure that things are properly aligned.

Dean

Yes,alignment is critical.I had the repair piece welded in by a friend of mine who is an excellent welder.I installed the axel center section by itself supported on one end with a jack stand and the other end with my right hand.I turned the pin in fully with my left hand.I doubt the tractor left Dearborn that good!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top