52 8N Rear Axle Hub Noise

Axtell

Member
Location
RDU, NC
I've posted here over the past few weeks seeking advice with rear axle/hub issues and the responses have been greatly appreciated! We're just about there. I will try to briefly summarize the issue and what remains.

The project started with noise coming from the left side wheel what I initially thought was brake noise. Upon removing the wheel I discovered the hub was loose, severely worn on the splines and held on with a stripped nut. After a lot of grunt work, I removed the nut, hub, retainer and discovered the hub had worn into the retainer, hence what was making the noise. It was a given to replace the hub, but it still made contact with the retainer. Figuring the axle was also worn, I replaced it as well using the original bearing. With bearing preload set and thinking I had light at the end of the tunnel, I slipped the new hub on the new axle and it still makes the noise and seems like it is bottoming out on the retainer. I have no clue on the fitment here, but something is not right. At first I thought a part was missing as per diagram I should have A8NN4248A (4248 in diagram), but later found out it is not in the late model 52s. Attached is the old hub showing the wear and the retainer.

Thanks!
Axtell
cvphoto2828.jpg


cvphoto2829.jpg


cvphoto2830.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 15:15:58 01/21/20) I've posted here over the past few weeks seeking advice with rear axle/hub issues and the responses have been greatly appreciated! We're just about there. I will try to briefly summarize the issue and what remains.

The project started with noise coming from the left side wheel what I initially thought was brake noise. Upon removing the wheel I discovered the hub was loose, severely worn on the splines and held on with a stripped nut. After a lot of grunt work, I removed the nut, hub, retainer and discovered the hub had worn into the retainer, hence what was making the noise. It was a given to replace the hub, but it still made contact with the retainer. Figuring the axle was also worn, I replaced it as well using the original bearing. With bearing preload set and thinking I had light at the end of the tunnel, I slipped the new hub on the new axle and it still makes the noise and seems like it is bottoming out on the retainer. I have no clue on the fitment here, but something is not right. At first I thought a part was missing as per diagram I should have A8NN4248A (4248 in diagram), but later found out it is not in the late model 52s. Attached is the old hub showing the wear and the retainer.

Thanks!
Axtell
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto2828.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto2829.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto2830.jpg">

".....and it still makes the noise and seems like it is bottoming out on the retainer."
First thing that I would do is verify, such that I could remove the words "seems like".
 
If it were me, I would also replace the wheel bearing. with everything else worn, it probably is also.
 
(quoted from post at 18:19:44 01/21/20) If it were me, I would also replace the wheel bearing. with everything else worn, it probably is also.
peaking of bearing, is it fully seated against the axle 'stop flange'?
 
You replaced both the axle and hub. I would replace bearings too. Looking at your pictures sure looks like inside of hub is rubbing. Go back a few pages on the forum. A guy had a similar problem and he ended up machining a little metal of the hub. Might be worth a look!
 
I have a question on the above pictures. I have my 8n apart now and it has been apart for a while. I cannot remember what orientation the two slots under the bearing races go. I am talking about the two slots that are on the left and the right in the above pictures. I assume the slots go top and bottom so that the oil gets to the bearings. The manual does not show it well. Is my assumption correct?
 

"First thing that I would do is verify, such that I could remove the words "seems like"."

Amen to that! Thanks JMOR! I pushed a little further this afternoon for better information.

I did discover some play in the hub between flush and bottomed out. See attached. I have also attached the bearing/axle fitment. Looks seated to me. When I went a little further is looked like the inner seal was not fully seated? Don't know. Never see one until today. Judging by the absence of any leakage and the pliability of the rubber in the outer and inner seals, these were probably replaced in the last 10 years or so as the tractor was not used much before we got our hands on it. I tried to seat the inner seal a little further with a punch, but it only damaged it. I did not have a proper socket/pipe/whatever at the time. I ended up prying it out with a crowbar. Outer and inner seals are on order for both sides. The other side shows signs of leaking.

If the inner seal was not fully seated, would that make the axle protrude a little further than normal? When I preloaded the bearing I ended up adding 7 paper shims between the baking plate and the retainer. That includes the 3 metal shims that were already between the trumpet and backing plate.

I am working with a new axle and hub.

Thanks,
Axtell
mvphoto48192.jpg


mvphoto48193.jpg


mvphoto48194.jpg


mvphoto48195.jpg


mvphoto48196.jpg


mvphoto48197.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 17:47:42 01/22/20)
"First thing that I would do is verify, such that I could remove the words "seems like"."

Amen to that! Thanks JMOR! I pushed a little further this afternoon for better information.

I did discover some play in the hub between flush and bottomed out. See attached. I have also attached the bearing/axle fitment. Looks seated to me. When I went a little further is looked like the inner seal was not fully seated? Don't know. Never see one until today. Judging by the absence of any leakage and the pliability of the rubber in the outer and inner seals, these were probably replaced in the last 10 years or so as the tractor was not used much before we got our hands on it. I tried to seat the inner seal a little further with a punch, but it only damaged it. I did not have a proper socket/pipe/whatever at the time. I ended up prying it out with a crowbar. Outer and inner seals are on order for both sides. The other side shows signs of leaking.

If the inner seal was not fully seated, would that make the axle protrude a little further than normal? When I preloaded the bearing I ended up adding 7 paper shims between the baking plate and the retainer. That includes the 3 metal shims that were already between the trumpet and backing plate.

I am working with a new axle and hub.

Thanks,
Axtell
mvphoto48192.jpg


mvphoto48193.jpg


mvphoto48194.jpg


mvphoto48195.jpg


mvphoto48196.jpg


mvphoto48197.jpg
irst picture in your last response shows axle splines sticking out beyond the machined hub surface. That is wrong & indicates bad axle or hub or both. You see, if try to install a washer/nut as is, then washer contacts the step on axle (threaded area to splined area) before it will ever contact the hub machined surface. This means hub will never be tight to axle. Also means that hub is sliding so far onto axle splines that it is contacting retainer. Looks to me like you are the victim of poor quality parts. Sorry for that, but it seems to be the story of today. You should be able to stand a bare bones axle up on the floor, drop the hub onto it and have the hub machined surface be higher than shoulder of axle at threads to splines (i.e., splines recessed into hub).
 

Thanks. I ll check that out first of next week. The hub and axle were bought from the same place, so I have that going for me.
 

Whut JMOR said, the second pix looks good and the pix of the bearing looks bad are its loaded with metal chips from the wear of the retainer...

I always assemble the hub to the axle before I install it and nail them tight then check fit if OK press them apart...
 
Lessons learned. Thanks! Not being sure, I did get a replacement axle and hub from this site. I also got the bearing. I was incorrect in stating I got the previous axle and hub together from another site. They were for two different sites. Anyway, the issue was with the axle. That one is in process of being sent back. Wish me luck. The previously bought hub fits fine. Also replaced the brake shoes and seals while I was in there. Everything is buttoned up on the left side. I will use the other hub on the right side since I have it and need to replace seals and shoes. The old one has a broken stud along with the two set screws. I ll clean that up another day and have it for whatever or whenever.

Thanks to everyone!
 

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