1948 JD AN Front Wheel Removal

joshienelly · Nov 24, 2015

I've got a high clearance 1948 John Deere AN. Its got the single 16" front tire on a heavy cast rim. And for the life of me, I can't get the front wheel off. It seems simple...just remove the nuts on either side the axle and I should be able to pound the axle out, just like on a motorcycle. But that axle won't budge. Before I start pounding on it with my 8 lb sledgehammer I wanted to check and make sure I'm not missing something. Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

Steve_S · Nov 24, 2015

I just went through this for the first time last week. In my case, one nut wasn't loosening enough. Once it was loosened more (which was a bear), the wheel was still pretty tight in the fork. Took a bit of effort to drop it out. It looks like there are also supposed to be a couple of safety bolts or pins in there in case the niuts loosen themselves. Mine were missing but if your are there then make sure they are removed.

Bob Harvey · Nov 24, 2015

Does it not just drop out of the bottom of the fork if jacked up ? Not sure if it is the same as a 60, but that is how it comes off on one of them. HTH

joshienelly · Dec 3, 2015

I did not think it would just drop out the bottom of the fork because the slot did not look wide enough for the axle to pass through. However, after I read your replies, I went and looked closer and it looks like there are two collars on the axle which are pressed into the hole in the fork. I'm guessing that if I remove the nuts on either side of the axle then I can probably slide those collars out of the way and then the, like you said, the whole wheel/axle assembly will drop out the bottom. I've attached a photo for reference. Hopefully it works...but I have a feeling those collars will be set pretty solidly in there.

Steve_S · Dec 4, 2015

There must be a difference in the late AN because the fork on my '46 does not close in at the bottom. It's just a straight opening. On the axle there is a groove that appears to be for a pin to pass through the forks to prevent the wheel from dropping out.

joshienelly · Dec 7, 2015

Steve_S, I see the difference in your fork and mine. Definitely not the same. I still haven't had a chance to revisit my axle and try removing the wheel again.

It looks like our front wheels are a little different too. Mine has the 16" front rim. I wonder if that difference in front wheel is also present in the fork, where the slot in yours is open and mine isn't. A any rate, I will be sure to update this post when/if I do get my wheel off.

Steve_S · Dec 9, 2015

Yes, mine is a 10" rim.

1948 JD AN Front Wheel Removal

joshienelly

New User

Steve_S

Member

Bob Harvey

Well-known Member

joshienelly

New User

Steve_S

Member

joshienelly

New User

Steve_S

Member

Similar threads