8N Axels too long?

gary-ca

Member
I am working on a 12/51 8N. The axels have been shortened to 26 7/16". I think the original axels were cut and re splined to get to that length. Before I started working on it, I rocked the rear wheels and had play of around 1/8-1/16". I could hear a "thunk" each time I rocked the wheels. I also lifted the rear wheels, turned one and the other turned in the opposite direction which I think is what should happen. I thought the bearings were bad but when I removed everything the bearings were in good shape. As you see the axels were touching at some point and have wear on the ends. There was only one metal shim on one side of the bearing retainer assembly. I will clean up the axel ends but I am wondering if I should add another shim, remove a shim or what? Thanks for the help. Gary

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The axles were not shimmed correctly. There is a process in the manuals about properly shimming to get the correct axle end play to avoid them rubbing in the center.
 
(quoted from post at 07:00:09 01/15/22) The axles were not shimmed correctly. There is a process in the manuals about properly shimming to get the correct axle end play to avoid them rubbing in the center.

Actually, the axles will ALWAYS butt together in operation.

The taper of the roller bearing at each end forces the axles inward under the weight of the tractor and also the "pull" of the wheels when moving/pulling a load. With the tractor jacked up and the load off of the wheels there will be a few thousandths of "endplay" in the axles, as soon as it's set back down they will contact each other again.

When you are moving straight forward the axles rotate at the same speed so there should be no wear, in a turn or if a wheel is slipping their speeds will be different and that's when wear would occur.

Of course if "odd" tires are in use there will always be some difference in speed between the two shafts.

I think the issue here is that originally the ends of the axles were very hard and wouldn't wear much in use, when the axles were shortened that hardened area was cut off leaving "softer" metal in the area of contact.

How many hours of use did it take to create the wear shown?

Unless it's going to be used THOUSANDS of hours in the future there's probably nothing to worry about.
 
Thanks for the replies. The tractor has 2700 hrs. and is in good shape. I will dress up the ends and reinstall. I think there is supposed be 2-6 thousands end play so I will see what happens. As long as both wheels don't turn the same direction when on jacks I guess it will last a few more hours. Gary
 
(quoted from post at 23:11:06 01/14/22) I think the original axels wereh cut and re splined to get to that length
Really? What makes you think that? Would be unusual at the least
 
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I always thought the tractor was cut down for use in narrow vineyards. I have another that is similar. The housing measures 42" from end to end and axels are 26 7/16". Were short axels and housings available?
 
(quoted from post at 14:10:53 01/16/22)
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I always thought the tractor was cut down for use in narrow vineyards. I have another that is similar. The housing measures 42" from end to end and axels are 26 7/16". Were short axels and housings available?
6 7/16 shortened......what is a "standard" axle length?
 

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