NH 56 rake repair

Dave H (MI) · Jun 25, 2021

Nothing better to do today so I pulled the NH 56 rake off the field where I keep it and pulled it to the shop. It has a tire that is going flat...

On the way a u-joint on the drive shaft between the wheels went all to pieces. It is the one on the left wheel. It is bad enough I think I need to replace the whole unit. The wheel side appears to be held in place by a thick rivet that is mashed on one side. The drive shaft side has no pin/rivet. Just wondering if anyone here has ever replaced one of these on a NH rake? Not real familiar with u-joints. You can see the head of the rivet/pin in the picture. The opposite side has no obvious means of retention to the drive shaft.

Bob Bancroft · Jun 25, 2021

I'm going to guess the other yoke is keyed to the shaft. It's probably rusted to the shaft, and maybe that's why the universal gave out. There should be a little give there somewhere.

Matt in Oz · Jun 25, 2021

HI Dave

Have done these years ago. With the pin I put a split pin through a drilled hole to retain it. Check the condition of your yoke and if serviceable a new cross can be installed. See if it has a grease nipple in the centre as there is not a lot of room. So what I am saying is make sure it will fit. If I remember right the cross is retained with circlips let into a recess in the yoke. A vise are a press are handy to install these. Youtube is probably your friend.

showcrop · Jun 25, 2021

I replaced both of those on my JD last year. They were a special small one that the auto parts store couldn't get, so I had to go to JD. I was amazed at how little they cost.

MARK ROBKE · Jun 25, 2021

I just did the same repair on my 256-same basic rake- this spring. What I did was to suspend the right side of the rake off the ground, remove the right wheel, unbolt the hub assembly from the frame bottom, and knock the left u-joint apart(like you already did!). I took it all to the vise bench and replaced the right u-joint completely. Then the left I put the joint into the shaft and took it all back the rake and put the left side in the yoke on the left hub. Much easier than removing the yokes from the shaft, and actually was easier than it sounds-it did not take long at all. I also replaced the lower u-joint on the driveshaft to the gear box. Good luck, Mark.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 25, 2021

If you have a ball joint press you won't even need to take the yoke off the rake. Just press in a new cross.

BTW just to be clear you do not normally need to replace the cast parts.

MARK ROBKE · Jun 26, 2021

I had to drop the r/s hub off because the shaft does not telescope, and then I was able to work to u-joint out and back into the yokes. Mark.

NH 56 rake repair

Dave H (MI)

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Bob Bancroft

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Matt in Oz

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showcrop

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MARK ROBKE

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

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MARK ROBKE

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