Massey 135 front axle

zoucha_26 · Dec 18, 2016

Hello I have a question on a 135 front axle. I'm trying to figure out if the front axle can possibly bent because the front tires are leaning in pretty bad and the tractor sits lower in the front. Any help is appreciated.

Dieseltech · Dec 18, 2016

The wrong size bolts on each spindle side to the center axle will make it look that way too, be worth a look. If I recall they should be 5/8 diameter.

zoucha_26 · Dec 18, 2016

I checked and they are 5/8 bolts. Trying to upload a picture but it won't let me. The top of the tire is tipped in around 2 inches at least

ptfarmer · Dec 18, 2016

The old swept back axles do get bent (or cracked), my brother had to replace the right "knee" on his 135 because the top of the tire was tipped in a lot. I found a crack in the one my brother had using the dye penetrate crack test.

DavidP, South Wales · Dec 19, 2016

TE20s, 35s and early 135s have what is termed on this side of the pond the 'swept (back) axle. later 135s used the
'straight' axle. On the swept axle there is only one narrowish pivot bush. This is correct. In many cases the pin
will wear through the bush and into the axle centre beam. Add to this wear in the axle pin and the 'drop' of the
engine relative to the axle can be quite significant. Not only will the engine drop but it will affect the geometry
of the front wheels.
Your shorter measurement at the top of the wheels may well be due or contributed to, by this. Check for broken bolts
(6 1/2"x5/8 on the underside front of the radius rods. Broken bolts here can allow the axle to twist and again upset
the geometry. Check also for any curving upwards in the radius rods. Same as above can happen. And of course don't
forget to check the bushes at the bottom of the king pins and the wheel bearings.

Let us know if you find anything.
DavidP, South Wales

ptfarmer · Dec 19, 2016

On the spindles where the bushings are could be worn. For me its cheaper, faster to weld up, then re-machine spindles.

zoucha_26 · Dec 19, 2016

Thanks for all the ideas. I checked for any broken bolts and everything is still intact and bolts are tight. All the spindle and wheel bearings are tight. The center pin and bushing on front axle are definitely wore out. It is my understanding that on a swept front axle I have to replace with same axle and can not put the straight axle in it. I will replace the whole axle assembly and do the new axles come with longer bushing installed. Thanks

zoucha_26 · Dec 19, 2016

Thanks for all the ideas. I checked for any broken bolts and everything is still intact and bolts are tight. All the spindle and wheel bearings are tight. The center pin and bushing on front axle are definitely wore out. It is my understanding that on a swept front axle I have to replace with same axle and can not put the straight axle in it. I will replace the whole axle assembly and do the new axles come with longer bushing installed. Thanks

rockepg · Dec 19, 2016

No need to replace the whole axle center section. Just replace the bushing and pin. This site sells a slightly longer bushing as well as the regular length one. Pull the axle out and make sure it hasn't worn down into the center section to badly, preferably not at all. Make your decision from there.

DavidP, South Wales · Dec 20, 2016

Hello,
The original specification only had one bush. You can fit two bushes but you will find that the axle pivot will become
tight as it cannot move correctly and turn very slightly as it does so.

DavidP

ptfarmer · Dec 20, 2016

The swept back axle with the radius arms is not the best idea (just cheaper to make). The only thing that kind of saves it is the fact the I-beam front axle will twist as the radius arms move through the travel up, and down. The longer bushing doesn't help.

zoucha_26 · Jan 18, 2017

Finally got around to digging into this tractor. I suspected the front axle was bent so I ordered new axle and pin. I pulled old axle out and laid next to new 1. It was bent back at least 2 inches per side. Thanks for all the help.

rockepg · Jan 18, 2017

2 inches on both sides? wonder how it got so bent like that and yet symmetrical. Normally a bend would be one side more than the other. I had the wheels tilted in on mine too when i got it. Turned out someone replaced the inner bolts with 3/8 instead of 5/8 like they are supposed to be.

Massey 135 front axle

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