Ford 4000 SU Axle problem?

gmcinnes · Sep 4, 2021

I'm a tractor novice guys. Picked up a Ford 4000 SU with a FEL. I realize that's not a great combo. I've babied it, and so far I've got
lucky, but it looks like my luck has run out.

After using the loader and chains to lift and move a hydraulic log splitter, my front left wheel looks like this. Cocked maybe 15 degrees or
more out at the top. What's the diagnosis?

Additional, potentially relevant fact is that the power steering pump is leaking a little at the pressure line. The flange isn't mating
perfectly. Need to re-fill it once in a while, and it feels like it needs it when I parked.

Any thoughts? Is the axle dead? Or the hubs or wheel bearings? How would I know?

diesel fumes · Sep 4, 2021

that looks about right ; for positive camber . jack up front and check both for positive and negative camber slop. if other side has no positive camber ,i would be more concerned about that one.

Fordfarmer · Sep 4, 2021

If the wheel is cocked out more than it was before, I'd suspect the wheel bearings. A bent spindle would have the wheel cocked in at the top.

L Hud · Sep 5, 2021

I have the same problem with a 3000. I have replaced the spindle,bushings, and bearings. It did not solve the problem. Following the thread.

Dean · Sep 5, 2021

Agreed.

Looks right to me.

I would, of course, check and repack the wheel bearings.

Dean

Billy NY · Sep 5, 2021

Seeing no one mentioned it, you may want to remove the spindle and or inspect it for hairline cracks or worse. That is what they look like before they fail. I had one fail while using a rotary mower headed down hill, thankfully the loader bucket prevented the front end from taking a nose dive and was a perfect skid as I reversed up the hill to a flat area to park it. It had an old crack, then went further so you could see the fresh metal in the crack. That spindle does not appear to be the HD or thicker version, they are belled out more than a standard one, and those are what I changed mine out to.

Destroked 450 · Sep 5, 2021

Photo isnt showing much, jack the front end up and check everything for looseness

Your power steering leak is most likely a cracked line flare, pretty common think as these tractors age
A piece of 3/8 brake line and a compression fitting is what you need to fix it

Ford 4000 SU Axle problem?

gmcinnes

Member

diesel fumes

Member

Fordfarmer

Well-known Member

L Hud

Member

Dean

Well-known Member

Billy NY

Well-known Member

Destroked 450

Well-known Member

Similar threads