1929 "D" spline shaft gear bent

bmklawt · Aug 30, 2011

Got the NOS block on the tractor today and after getting it running I was hearing a random clunking noise, like something was rattling loose, coming from around the belt pulley area.
This noise is not new, just seemed louder today and with just putting the front end back together I was paranoid.
I took the clutch apart and notice if I turn the belt pulley back and forth a little I could hear and feel the belt pulley gear against the spline gear, just a little tic, tic, tic as I rotated the pulley back and forth. I don't think this is what is causing the clunking noise I am hearing when it runs. I then took off the belt pulley spline gear cover and noticed the spline gear wobbles a 1/4" and I can push and pull the whole spline gear assembly in and out an 1/8" or more.

How the hell did the spline gear or shaft get bent and should I be able to push pull the gear assembly that much.

I thought about running the tractor with out the belt pulley on it to see it the noise went away and if so then running it without the spline gear. Can I do this?

Your help is greatly appreciated,
Bruce

WeirdDeere · Aug 31, 2011

Is the whole shaft moving around loosely, or just the large gear itself? There shouldn't be the movement that you're describing. Our '38 spun smoothly, no extra motion at all.

I don't know if the shaft itself is bent, but it does sound like:

The bearings for the spline shaft are VERY loose, letting things move around? Or you could have a missing snap ring or two that holds the bearings in place.

Or something is letting the gear itself move around...maybe the keyway for the spline gear is just worn out, or you might be missing the snap rings that hold it on the shaft?

Either way, it sounds like you'll need some replacement parts....something is worn out. I wouldn't run it until it's fixed or you might break something major!

Oh, if you do run it again, you should be able to snap the clutch back and stop the pulley...the noise should then go away, since those gears will no longer be turning.

Brandon

Jack B · Aug 31, 2011

I think the spline shaft is probably broken at the keyway. They will run a long time this way but it allows the reduction gear to wear where it fits on the spline shaft. Remove the reduction gear and you should find the problem.
I have a good spline shaft and reduction gear if you need it.

bmklawt · Sep 12, 2011

I took the the spline gear off and found at some time in the past the key must have broken and the gear spun on the shaft wearing the face of the gear hub and ID bore down.
I think they reinstalled the gear on a new spline shaft but because the hub face and ID are worn at an angle the gear can not be bolted on perfectly perpendicular to the shaft.
Clear and mud

1929 "D" spline shaft gear bent

bmklawt

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WeirdDeere

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Jack B

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bmklawt

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