46 JD B axle re-assembly problem

vincegsc

Member
I replaced tapered roller bearings and seals on both rear axles. Tightening the nuts draws each axle in to 3/8 inch of being seated. Hits a brick wall. Even with a piece of pipe on the wrench, I can't draw either axle in further. Did I install something wrong? Have pictures I could email someone, if that would help.
Thanks, Vince
18168.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 16:50:22 03/26/15) My manual shows a spacer between the bearing cone and the felt seat retainer. Did you leave something off?

I agree with Mike, your missing the spacer.
 
(quoted from post at 13:50:22 03/26/15) My manual shows a spacer between the bearing cone and the felt seat retainer. Did you leave something off?

Thanks for reply. The spacer (R in Service Manual) is serial # B2001000 and up. My serial # is 181491. The pic I posted shows I, Outer Bearing Cone, J, Felt Retainer, and L. Bearing Spacer

Have you done one of these axles, and how hard did you have to crank on the nut?
 
I was going by the I&T manual. Haven't had my A apart but IRRC there is an end play spec for the axle and you draw it up with the nut. Unless the bull gear is tight on the axle splines it shouldn't take much.
 
I had my '39 B apart two summers ago to put new inner axle seals in ( messy job by the way) and mine all went back together easy. You didn't by any chance get the bull gears switched around? The raised part goes inward, the washer and nut go on that side of the gear.
 
(quoted from post at 18:17:21 03/26/15) I had my '39 B apart two summers ago to put new inner axle seals in ( messy job by the way) and mine all went back together easy. You didn't by any chance get the bull gears switched around? The raised part goes inward, the washer and nut go on that side of the gear.

I got the gears in right. This started with a leaking seal. When I got it apart, I found pitting in all 4 bearings. My email is [email protected]. If you send me yours, I can send the other pics I took. Maybe you might spot something. Vince
 
They usually go back together pretty easy ? Maybe there is a burr or something holding up the inner bearing or maybe the bearings are off spec. ? Did you try the inner bearings on the shaft first to see if they went on fairly easy ? I'd also pack that outer bearing with grease first too.
 
(quoted from post at 04:58:19 03/27/15) They usually go back together pretty easy ? Maybe there is a burr or something holding up the inner bearing or maybe the bearings are off spec. ? Did you try the inner bearings on the shaft first to see if they went on fairly easy ? I'd also pack that outer bearing with grease first too.

Thanks. The more I think about it, the more I think NAPA sold me the wrong outside bearing. That it's the right inside diameter but wrong OD. They DID sell me the wrong inner bearing. I measured IDs and the one that came out was 2.36". One from NAPA was 2.50" The one that came out of the JD had a Timken stamp on it. I got 2 new of that number. I did grease the bearings before pushing the axle on in.
 
The one good thing about tapered roller bearings is the number stamped on them stays the same for all makers. Or at least it used to ?
So if they match what you took out you should be ok.
 
(quoted from post at 06:43:36 03/27/15) The one good thing about tapered roller bearings is the number stamped on them stays the same for all makers. Or at least it used to ?
So if they match what you took out you should be ok.

Problem solved. Got axles back out. Wrong outer bearing (cone). Shame on NAPA for getting me wrong bearing. Shame on me for not measuring the old vs new more carefully. ID is right. Outside diameter is bigger. When I ordered the bearings, I didn't yet have them out of the tractor.
 
Good to hear you got it figured out! I was questioning the bearing size not being correct in the back of my mind but usually things like that only happen to me so I didn't know if I dared say it out loud. Not only that I've been battling a head/sinus cold for the last few days and that tends to skew the thought process for me so I may not have been thinking quiet as clearly as I normally should.
 

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