Hey David G

David,

Did you ever get the input shaft bearing changed in your 44?

Wondering how bad it was.. I'm gonna order the bearings/races for mine tomorrow.. Looks like the top covers have to be removed to do it.. Might as well do both ends of it.. Only good thing is since the tractor isn't complete, I can touch the paint up after final assembly.

I just know if I don't do it, about the 3rd time I run it, the bearing will give out on me. Also doing the one on the "output shaft" at the bell housing.. Hopefully, all that will take a lot of the noise out of it.

Thanks,

Brad

No, I have not gotten back to it. I am trying to get as much
painting done while it is warm. I should get back to it the first of
next week.

Thanks..

I hosed some paint tonight myself.. Looks pretty good, all things considered.. I guess maybe I'll get to that bearing before you do.. It should be here tomorrow, so I'll probably start dinking around changing them tomorrow night when i get home from work.

I'll let you know how many dirty words it makes me scream.. LOL

Brad

Let me know your procedure

Well.. I got it tore apart... THAT WAS FUN.. Not really though.

If you're just doing the front bearing, it probably wouldn't take too long..

1: I pulled both top transmission covers..

2: Removed nut from back side of "input" shaft (it was at this point I realized that I was not the first cowboy to this rodeo.. The washer under the nut was missing)


3: Took bolts from front seal housing and slid it out nearly tight to the coupler

4: Fastened my slide hammer to the coupling and hit it a few times.. The shaft slid forward a couple inches (back bearing falls off shaft) (It was at this point I realized that my back bearing was pretty well wasted as it tried to fall apart in my hands.)

5: Removed coupling with a 3-Jaw puller, then the key, Then used the same puller to try to pull the front bearing from the shaft. I ended up cutting the bearing with a torch carefully, and it came off in a hurry then.


Had I decided to just change the bearings, that would pretty much be it.. BUT I decided to change the races too.. I ended up pulling the belt pulley, the pto, and the shaft that drives the pto (which I found the front nut was cracked, and the back snap ring was pretty stretched out and hardly holding on) To try to gain access to the rear race.


Ended up using the slide hammer with a hook.. Hoped and prayed.. and POP.. it came out. Ended up doing the same in the front. It was a tight squeeze to get the hook in around the shaft, but I weaseled it in there.

Had I tried the slide hammer and hook first, I probably could have left most of the pto in place, but I did it the hard way.. But, gives me a chance to be sure none of those gaskets will leak now.



Figured pictures could help too...

Brad

PS.. Not too many dirty words flew, so as much a pain as it was for me, it wasn't too bad.. LOL