bush hog problem

Busflyer · Oct 9, 2012

I have a 5' bush hog that has some play in the shaft. The castellated nut on the bottom looks like it is backed out a turn or so causing the shaft to have some slop in it. Problem is, the nut is so worn I can't get a wrench on the thing. It also appears that the cotter pin has broken off and for all practical purposes become part of the nut. Any ideas?

Motorcraftman · Oct 9, 2012

If ... In fact theres No Shoulders on the nut, I would Suggest using the "Ole Pipe Wrench if theres nothing to get a hold on... Maybe even a little heat..Larry

souNdguy · Oct 9, 2012

chances are if the shaft is loose.. seal is gone and bearing needs help.

try a chissle and / or air hammer with chissle.. if the pipe wrench fails..

Busflyer · Oct 9, 2012

sounds like it's gonna be the chisel unless I can get that cotter pin to let go

ASEguy · Oct 10, 2012

If you are good with and air chisel, you should be able to get the nut off without damaging the threads on the shaft. If not, use heat on the nut to back it off. Once it gets moving don't stop until it's off. Gerard

ericlb · Oct 10, 2012

heat the nut, the cotter pin is mild steel the nut is tempered, once hot a good socket and breaker bar will remove it, the torch will take out the seal, but if its been loose for awhile it isnt any good anyway now, and you need to look at the bearings carefully too, its all fixable take the seals bearings, races ect with you to a good auto parts store, [ carquest or napa] they can use those numbers to get you new ones, you may have to get around the kid on the counter this may be over his head, but ive been there, done that , more than once lol

Robert Major · Oct 10, 2012

Hi
Just a small comment on removing the nut with heat. I"ve been in the shop trade over 30 years and never remove nuts from threads while hot I always let them cool or cool them with water before moving them. there is a huge risk that the nut will bind and destroy the shaft threads, I always go steady too so you can feel if things are not right, even to the point of heating and cooling more than once if needed its suprising how that alone will help loosen the nut on the thread. In my years ive seen more than one shaft messed up by moving nuts hot and guys not listening to what they where told lol.
Regards Robert

ASEguy · Oct 11, 2012

Hello Robert. Interesting comment. I've never encountered that in automotive. I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Gerard

ericlb · Oct 11, 2012

meant to say pipe wrench on the nut not socket i was trying to do 2 things at once and at my age i should not do that be sure to replace the nut too

ericlb · Oct 11, 2012

yes interesting, ive done it both ways the reason to heat is to destroy the rust and corrosion making the nut difficult to remove also heat expands the nut slightly making it easier to remove, at out company shop we use heat and remove the nuts ect while hot, these nuts are on mining machinery and equipment ie dozers loaders excavators ect and due to the wear are usually destroyed when its time to replace cutting edges and tract components ect even when the track pad bolts look good they usually will not budge without heat and most of the time have to be cut off then replaced in full, bolt and nuts and thats not cheap, been doing that since the early '70's

Robert Major · Oct 12, 2012

Hi Gerald
My trade is Agri, we see this quite often with guys and now more so with guys watchin the vids on "tube and thinking they can change "muffler bearings" and do there own repairs. its not owning the tools thats hard its the knollage to use them that's the problem L.O.L.
It is one of those things that you may of been lucky with and one day you might not be i guess. Now you can't get an empty bag outta a dealers for less than $20 i dont chance it with part prices.

Regards Robert

bush hog problem

Busflyer

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Motorcraftman

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souNdguy

Well-known Member

Busflyer

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ASEguy

Well-known Member

ericlb

Well-known Member

Robert Major

Well-known Member

ASEguy

Well-known Member

ericlb

Well-known Member

ericlb

Well-known Member

Robert Major

Well-known Member

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