9n center axle removal to replace pivot pin and bushing

I am about to start my project to replace the center pin and bushing on my 9n.I have a FO-4 manual.Do I just follow those instructions ,or are there some helpful tricks you guys have discovered.Looks like block up the front of
the tractor then the hood, radiator, radius rods ,and grill must come off. FO-4 says to unbolt the axle extensions and swing the axle extensions and wheel assemblies out of the way. Does this mean the wheels stay on ? there
seem to be lots of hints about breaking loose a cranky center pin so I assume I will be Ok when I get to that stage.

You need to remove the motor mount to get the pivot pin out.

The front flange on the pin is a teardrop shape. After you've removed the retaining bolt, use your drift on the side of the flange down low (narrow end of the teardrop)and your BFH to drive the flange toward the opposite side. This turns the pin in the hole and breaks the rust bond. Then whack it the other direction, apply some penetrating oil, and knock it out from the back. Breaking that rust bond before hammering it out makes the job much easier.
75 Tips

I have read about the teardrop step. My question now is what has to be removed to get to that step. By the way the small end of the tear drop is pointed up on my tractor which puts the retaining bolt on top of the teardrop. I have never seen this arrangement on any of the forum pictures or repair manuals. Have you ever seen this arrangement ?

Hi;
I don't really "have a dog in this race", but I do have a 9N. When I wanted to improve the front end in general, I read up on the axle pivot pin and related parts. There are at least two different pins used on the 9Ns and if I recall correctly, they are not compatible. I am pretty sure the earliest design ones are no longer available. I worked on mine about 20 years ago, so forgive my poor recall.

I believe I found out I could not get any parts that were better than what I already had, and I found that I could install either my old pin or the bushing (or both) upside down to get a "new" wearing surface. Get a copy of original Ford parts book covering your tractor. If you get where you can examine your pin and bushing and they are a version not shown in your parts book, either you need an older parts book, or use ingenuity to make your old parts work the best you can.
BY THE WAY, I am pretty sure mine has a setscrew that holds the pin in place, easy to overlook, yours may be different.

In my humble opinion, the pin/bushing fit can be a little loose and not hurt anything. A related problem can be if the front axle assembly tilts too far (like one front wheel runs over a tree stump) the axle may hit the radiator's outlet pipe which is very low, especially on misfit radiators like mine.

You may get into various problems like if you put spacers under the radiator, then the radiator hits the hood and also the fan starts hitting the fan shroud. Beware there may be a can of worms here, so don't get in a hurry.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

(quoted from post at 18:14:28 03/07/18) I am about to start my project to replace the center pin and bushing on my 9n.I have a FO-4 manual.Do I just follow those instructions ,or are there some helpful tricks you guys have discovered.Looks like block up the front of
the tractor then the hood, radiator, radius rods ,and grill must come off. FO-4 says to unbolt the axle extensions and swing the axle extensions and wheel assemblies out of the way. Does this mean the wheels stay on ? there
seem to be lots of hints about breaking loose a cranky center pin so I assume I will be Ok when I get to that stage.

Click to expand...

The axle extensions and all attached parts swing to the side. No need to remove anything except the axle extension bolts.

There is no flange on the 9N axle pins. It is held in with a large vertical set screw in the top of the front axle support bore. If there is a flange on yours and it is pointing upwards my bet is it is the wrong pin. [list:7badef1502][*:7badef1502]Most likely an 8N pin which is 1/4" shorter and will not go all of the way into the rear bore in the support. The flange was rotated to clear the radiator support else it wouldn't seat at all. [*:7badef1502]It could also be the flanged 2N pin which is the correct length and would go all of the way in with the flange rotated to the top.[/list:u:7badef1502]Here is a picture of the 9N axle support. Ignoring the setscrew and pin - is this what you have? If so you need the 9N pin which is available from Just 8N's - p/n 9N3126A. If not post a picture of what you do have.

TOH



TOH

(quoted from post at 18:14:28 03/07/18) I am about to start my project to replace the center pin and bushing on my 9n.I have a FO-4 manual.Do I just follow those instructions ,or are there some helpful tricks you guys have discovered.Looks like block up the front of
the tractor then the hood, radiator, radius rods ,and grill must come off. FO-4 says to unbolt the axle extensions and swing the axle extensions and wheel assemblies out of the way. Does this mean the wheels stay on ? there
seem to be lots of hints about breaking loose a cranky center pin so I assume I will be Ok when I get to that stage.

Click to expand...

The axle extensions and all attached parts swing to the side. No need to remove anything except the axle extension bolts.

There is no flange on the 9N axle pins. It is held in with a large vertical set screw in the top of the front axle support bore. If there is a flange on yours and it is pointing upwards my bet is it is the wrong pin. [list:6c4d1c7f87][*:6c4d1c7f87]Most likely an 8N pin which is 1/4" shorter and will not go all of the way into the rear bore in the support. The flange was rotated to clear the radiator support else it wouldn't seat at all. [*:6c4d1c7f87]It could also be the flanged 2N pin which is the correct length and would go all of the way in with the flange rotated to the top.[/list:u:6c4d1c7f87]Here is a picture of the 9N axle support. Ignoring the setscrew and pin - is this what you have? If so you need the 9N pin which is available from Just eight N's - p/n 9N3126A. If not post a picture of what you do have.

TOH



TOH