MF 230 play in rear axle

[atlarge54]

I have an I & T manual and it's a starting point but I'd like to hear from somebody that's actually opened up a few. Without putting on an indicator I'd guess maybe .050" play. I understand the shim removal to take up play but find it a bit odd that a tapered bearing doesn't butt up to a solid shoulder on the axle.

What are the more common issues? Wear where the axles touch? Common for bearing to shift inward? Just plain bad bearings?

What is a typical thickness for the shim package?

The hour meter shows 1100 hours, but I don't know if its working. From the overall looks of things it might be close.
 

[Harry in Ky]

Your I&T manual should explain the the bearing, inner, outer seal replacement process as well as the adjustment proceedure. If you"ve never been into one, I can understand the confusion. Read through the entire process a couple times and study the photos and/or drawings of the parts involved and get a feel for what"s in there. Remember, the outer axle bearing is greased, not oil lubricated, and on most tractors using this configuration,
the only way to grease it is to remove the axle assembly. As for the bearing moving inward on the axle, the stop collar rarely moves, and usually must be cut off in the removal process. Movement here would indicate possible bearing wear. If one side shows signs of oil seepage from the seals, that would be an indicator of the side to open up first.
 

[samn40]

You should have enough shims to remove to take up the excess
free play. I would replace the main seal in the end of the axle tube
when in there, it is a simple matter of levering the old one out and
tapping the new one into place and it is a common seal available in
any good bearing and seal supplier. Also repack the bearing with
grease. Check that the opposite hub is revolving in the opposite
direction before refitting the wheel, if not your bearings will
possibly need replaced as the two axle ends are hitting each other
due to not enough shims at the axle ends.
Sam