4430 broken front spindle

Was using a new koyker 510 front end loader for second time. Front right spindle on 1974 4430 broke off. It was fatigue cracked from top and bottom with only middle ~45% left holding before break. Broke vertically just behind wheel.

JD provided a replacement spindle, bolt and washer for very top of spindle, inner wheel bearing and race. I mentioned that the steering was sticking while stationary with a <1k lb load on loader (until it was in gear and moving) and JD dealer provided two washers R49838 and said those can cause that exact problem.

QUESTION A: Am assuming once the top bolt (vertical) is removed from top of axle/spindle/steering arm that the spindle should be free to come out downwards. Used hammer hit top of spindle downwards, without hitting surrounding steering arm splines, and it really didn't seem to move. [b:77936d9785]How hard should it be to get the spindle loose and how what method would you use?[/b:77936d9785]

QUESTION B: JD didn't provide bushings with spindle. [b:77936d9785]Should bushings also be installed at this time? [/b:77936d9785]

Any guidance is sure appreciated.

Have a Good Day!

I screw the bolt into spindle and strike it on the head.
If spindle is flush or above the arm, the arm is worn
allowing it to tighten down too far.
If bushings are worn they should be replaced.

Tonight, unthreaded that top bolt ~3/8 to 1/2 inch. Made sure plenty of threads were engaged. Then hit bolt head hard a number of times with a good solid hammer. Nothing moved at all. Felt extremely solid. Picked up sledge hammer and hit it a time or two and nothing moved at all. The bolt head started to bend a bit. Then hit it a few more times with sledge and nothing moved then either. I'm afraid something is going to be damaged.

The top of spindle is not all the way out of the steering arm. would say the spindle is a dime to a quarter thickness from the top of steering arm. Nothing has been gained at all with hits.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

You do have the axle off the ground???
I have never seen one that would not release.
You might heat the arm around the shaft.

yes, the axle is jacked up with boards under the axle. Holding just high enough to put rim/tire back on after replacing spindle. Only thing that has been undone is the top bolt of spindle, the one we are hitting on. I assume it is the steering arm holding onto the top of the spindle as well, but haven't done one before. Hate to heat up that area as I have been keeping a good amount of grease in those front end zerks. Guess that is the only thing that makes sense at this point. Any other ideas are welcome. Thanks again, just wanting to make sure I am not missing something.

splines are rusted it can be a chore to break them free.

warm it up by using a couple of hammers...one on one side and hit the opposite side moving around it a couple of times and then hit with sledge on top of bolt...make sure you have it jacked up and braced under as close to the outside as possible

OK, thanks for the guidance. Before work today, coated the top of spline area with pb blaster and let it soak all day. Tonight I hit it with hammer and it pretty close to fell out.

Saw two things that didn't look good one the bad spline was out.

(a) the bottom bushing inside housing had wear as the horizontal groove at grease zerk level on inside was worn away. Worn off half way around toward outer side of tractor. The spline shaft was somewhat galled in that area as well. Assume that bushing and possibly the upper one need replaced. [b:b111f66c85]What process is used for removal of old / installation of new bushings and what tools would i need? [/b:b111f66c85]

(b) Believe the two bottom washers are supposed to have pins on each side through the washer slots. I can see on the new spline that there is a pin already in place. When I look at under side of axle housing there is no pin there. Believe i see where a roll pin has been work flat off even with housing. [b:b111f66c85]Am assuming that roll pin for axle housing will need to be drilled out and replaced, is that correct?[/b:b111f66c85]

[b:b111f66c85]Any tips/guidance on these issues or other tools, methods, processes for fixing this would sure be appreciated.
[/b:b111f66c85]

Thanks again

sorry, wrote spline and meant spindle in a couple of places.

(a) would a hammer type puller remove the bushings [think those can be rented from autozone]?
What method is recommended for putting new ones back in?

not sure the length of a hammer type puller will fit under that spindle housing with front axle jacked up like changing a tire.

Its been too long to remember but I may of used a long punch or length of pipe to drive them out.

All,

Getting that lower bushing out yesterday was tough. Was not able to get it to move downard at all, using a heavy pipe from top to drive it. Finally, removed that side of axle and resorted to working the bushing seam with a chisel. It was against my nature to use a chisel for such a job, due to risk to marring up housing.

Then drilled out the sheared off roll pin on bottom. It was eating up drill bits, even using oil. Finally used a dremel with a small chain sharpening stone on its end, the round side, and it worked good.

All reassembled now.

QUESTION: How tight is the top bolt should the top bolt (vertical bolt) of new spindle be torqued?

Also, along with that question the tractor has a shim (part 7 on jd parts illustration) up top just under steering arm. Do I need to worry about up down play of spindle in housing or just torque down top bolt and go?

Any guidance would be appreciated!

Have a restful Sunday!

QUESTION: Any idea how tight the top bolt of new spindle should be torqued?

It has 2 new washers at bottom with their associated roll pins. It has the same original shim on top (part 7 on jd parts illustration) up top just under steering arm.

Any guidance would be appreciated!

Have a good day!

I have never used a torque wrench on them...I guess about 125-150 lbs.

Thank you very much. Went 150 ft lbs.

All seems well so far. Its very muddy so haven't done anything but moved it around in the drive way.

Thanks again!