U-302 Spindles

MMDan

Member
Has anyone else had trouble with the front spindles on their U-302, M-5, M-602 etc.? My specific problem is with the Woodruff key where the steering arm attaches to the spindle. The key way is worn and the key moves from side to side in the slot. I replaced one of the spindles a few years ago but they are NLA from Agco and only after market ones available are too short (13.875 instead of 14.312). Thought maybe someone has come up with a way to fix it.
 
I've not had the problem on a Minnie but if it were me, I'd have my local machine shop folks broach a new key way in a different location. Just an idea.
 
I broke a spindle shaft off on a Jetstar, had a machine shop drill out the broken piece and make a new one. It's still in use 20 years later with a loader. Only now I don't pick up so much weight!
 
Hi,
I do not know how similar a 335 arrangement is to what you have, but I had pretty sloppy steering when I purchased my 335, due in large part to backlash in the shaft<->key<->steering arm.
I bought an oversize (5/16" thick) key, and ground it into a shape to occupy all the open volume of the worn key slot and shaft half-moon.
It took a bit of time, and I don't think it would hold up if I had a loader on it, but for now it is pretty tight.

Duane
 
I'm not sure about the A&I version I was thinking of was the 13.875 one. What axle do you have? Do your axle caps (cast pieces with two welded pins) go in from the top and bottom or the sides?
 
My U-302 is a Super and the clamps are on the sides. The last spindle I bought was an A&I that I bought from Abilene Machine and it was 13.875 long and it was too short. They were very good about letting me return it.
 
That is what I was thinking about doing. Was also going to see if the machine shop could cut another key way in where the other slot is in the steering arm. The arms have 2 slots so they can be used on either side of the front end.
 
If the arm clamp bolt had been kept tight that wouldn't happen. The bolt has to be fine thread to get required torque. I recently disassembled a 5 star wide front and had to use a torch to remove those keys from the spindles.
 

So it must be a 1967 or later 302 with the newer short turning front end. There are no replacement spindles and used ones are hard to come by.
 
Not sure how M602 and U302 spindles differ but over the years we broke a few 602 spindles and repaired them. The king pin part broke just even with the top of the spindle at the thrust bearing. The fix was to gouge the weld on the bottom side, push the remains of the king pin out. Now fabricate a new king pin press in and weld. Make it whatever length you want! jack
 

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