135 front axle rebuild question

At wits end at the moment; finally received the spindles and started the re-assembly of the front axle. bushings were easy, but the spindles will not go in the bushings. Polished all burrs and nicks, but the spindle enters the bushing about 1/4 inch and stops. A couple taps with a hammer and she locks tight. What is my next move? Are the spindles and bushings sold by YT normally correct sized? Any help, ideas appreciated.

I have NEVER assembled a MF 135 Front Axel assembly:

However, I have assembled Ferguson front assemblies and had to use the procedure from the Ferguson Service Manual, that included Reaming the bushings to fit Spindle:

Picture (1)..Thread and pull old Bushing:

Pictures (2/3) Install Bushing:

Picture (4) Ream Bushing or Hone to fit:

Bob... Owner Operator MF FE 35 X and Tea-20
Bob...

Just about all bushings for masseys need to be sized after installing. Very normal thing to do. Some guys will use a piece of emery cloth inserted into a slotted stick chucke in a drill. Some use brake hones or larger ones. Some will even go down the road of adjustable reamers.

I use a "flap wheel" on a drill, since the flap wheel was too big in diameter I tore off about 1/2 of the flaps. The flap wheel works quick so you need to sneak up on it. I do the top bushing first until the spindle fits, then do the bottom one until the spindle can go all the way through. A brake wheel cylinder hone can do the job also if you can find one that can go big enough.

OK Thanks guys! I am a fairly competent mechanic, but no experience on tractor axles. On my way back to shop with mics and looking for flap wheel and/or hone.

Hello,
As has been said some people use adjustable reamers. This is true to a point if you are not able to warrant the cost of the correct MF reamer. However an adjustable reamer is only part of the requirement. No matter how careful you are you will not be able to enlarge the bush inner diameter concentrically or in line with the other bush. It is necessary to machine an extension to fit the body thread of an adjustable reamer which locates in a tapered bush at the other end. I have made several to suit 135 and 165 kingpins and 165+ main steering shafts. The reamer thread was screw-cut internally and a piece of true 3/4" rod attached to it. The tapered bush has a taper which centralises in the king-pin housing and bush when fitted reamed or not. By having this steady set-up the reamer will cut true and round.
Trying to ream out or enlarge one end at a time is hit and miss. One bush will need to be oversize even if slightly out of line for the KP to fit and then you will only have point contact. Adjustable reamers to cover the range required are not expensive and the internal screw-cutting of a cup to fit the reamer would not cost a lot and machining of a tapered bush likewise. With the tools the job can be done correctly AND will last.
DavidP, South Wales

So much good advice; and I have already did it with a small engine hone. Now the sob story. Neither of the slots for the woodruff key will align with the bolt groove. What now? Grind the slot and try to make alignment by tie rod adjustment? This job has me ready to sit down and cry. First they lost my order, then sent wrong parts. I will say here YT customer service is top of the line. But the bolt groove on the spindles is about 8 or 10 degrees out of alignment with the woodruff key slots (either slot). Help!

If you have the swept back axle the spindles, and steering arms are the same for both sides.
If you have the straight axle with the adjustable width the steering arms are the same, but the spindles are right hand, and left hand.
If you have the straight non-adjustable width axle, the spindles are the same, but the steering arms are right hand, and left hand.

It is the swept back axle, spindles are not same. They sent one left and one right. Left, 897237M94, Right, 897236M94. I am so frustrated! I am so far behind now, I needed this tractor running 2 weeks ago. First they lost my order. Then they sent by UPS second day air one spindle and a huge leveling box that is still on my porch waiting for UPS. So they sent a return label and the other spindle overnight. After being on hold for 15 min UPS wanted $7.20 and $15.50 to pick up the return package. Back to YT customer service (they have been great) and they issued a return pickup, so it does not cost me. We have both lost money over this parts fiasco.

Sure you dont have the spindles reversed? Left on the right type thing. The amount you describe being "off" is about difference between the two sides.

(quoted from post at 13:54:53 06/23/17) It is the swept back axle, spindles are not same. They sent one left and one right. Left, 897237M94, Right, 897236M94. I am so frustrated! I am so far behind now, I needed this tractor running 2 weeks ago. First they lost my order. Then they sent by UPS second day air one spindle and a huge leveling box that is still on my porch waiting for UPS. So they sent a return label and the other spindle overnight. After being on hold for 15 min UPS wanted $7.20 and $15.50 to pick up the return package. Back to YT customer service (they have been great) and they issued a return pickup, so it does not cost me. We have both lost money over this parts fiasco.

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Both spindles should have the same part number for your axle.

Thank you for taking the time to help. I will order the correct spindles and hope they will take a return on these.

508546M92 is the correct part number you want. YT's site does show a left and right spindle but they have it flagged as UK built ones.

Part numbers 897237M94, and 897236M94 are UK spindles for the UK straight, adjustable width front axle.