A good rule of thumb to remember.

[Jason S.]

Well I installed the new axle pin and bushing today. The Agco pin fit perfectly, but I was amazed at the wear in the bolts in the front axle. I replaced the left radius arm while I was at it and the bolt that goes thru the front of the radius arm and thru the axle had quite a bit of wear, and the four bolts that go thru the axle were worm quite a bit. I was just going to share that anybody who is planning on installing a new front pin might as well have new bolts on hand also. I guess you could either get them front a bolt supply company or I did see that Sparex offers them.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Remember? I try not to think about it... stuff like those bolts is what nickel and dimes you to death with an unforeseen project like that... what were they? 5 bucks a set?
 

[Jason S.]

I haven't gotten mine yet. I have a good friend that runs a bolt supply place and he let's me have my bolts at his cost but he isn't open on weekends. You are right though Tony, it is stuff like that, that runs the cost up of a project. I really didn't think those bolts would be worn that bad. You know I told ya I bought a quart of Rustoleum smoke gray the other day, now I have to get me some Rustoleum red to match Dearborn red. I picked up a nice Dearborn 14-15 sickle mower for $40.00.
 

[IrvIA]

Boy, you're right about the bolts. Back in 2007, I got 4 fender bolts for my Fergie from Fastenall. They didn't have them there, but said "Hey, we got them at another store and we'll get them for ya". I never thought to ask how much because I usually buy them for a couple or three bucks a pound at the farm store. The fella calls and said they were in at the store 16 miles from me, but says his guy is coming here anyway and he'll bring them along. He hands me the ticket and it's $18.00 for the bolts and $9.00 to bring them. Ouch!! I said thanks and went on my way!! I'll ask next time.
 

[IrvIA]

After rereading my post it looks like I stiffed the guy on the bolts. I didn't. I bought them and thanked him kindly for bringing them. It just kind of surprised me.....
 

[2tractors]

I've rebuilt several tractors and only parted with one but all had wear on the yolk and pinion but someone must have got all the goody out of that tractor. It says alot about these tractors.
 

[Ivan in Mich]

What grade of bolts are these? Is there something special about them? Thanks Ivan
 

[danderson]

Jason,

I have a new axle pin and the shoulder bushings from Argo sitting in my garage until the weather warms up. Did you run into any issues installing the pin?
 

[trac]

Hey Ivan i have replaced them with 8 grade i'm sure 6 grade bolts will be fine but they are costly!
 

[MCOHIO]

I used grade 5 bolts from TSC @2.29 per pound. They were coarse thread but I wasn't concerned with being that original. They have bolts up to 10" long and 1" diameter. Check out a bolt strength chart and you might be suprised just how strong a grade 2 or 5 bolt actually is. A grade 2 bolt, 3/4 diameter and smaller has a tensile strength of 74,000 psi. I stay away from grade 8 bolts unless the specific application requires them. I have used these on 2 TE-20s and have never had a problem and one ended up working for a living for about 7 years, after the restoration.
 

[Jason S.]

It also depends on where the bolt came from. I have saw tests where a chinese grade 8 didn't have the strength of an American grade 5. I will probably put grade 8 fine thread in mine, just because I use mine heavily and I wont have to worry about the fine thread loosening up as easily while using it. A previous owner have put 2 course thread bolts with nylon lock nuts in the front and I was always having to tighten them back up. The other 2 original bolts in the front axle never gave any problems. My 175 is the same way, somebody put one course thread bolt in the front axle and the other 3 are original, that one course thread comes loose every now and again. I'm going to replace it also.
 

[MCOHIO]

Jason, I agree about the chinese stuff. I tend to look for "ROCKFORD" hardware, it's just a name I trust. I would have gone with the fine thread but would have had to use Fastenal or some other industrial supply place and have found that they are very "proud" of what they sell. I had trouble before using Grade 8 bolts before in a wrong situation. They would break from side load. I stepped back to Grade 5 with no problems. My dad ran into situations like that many times as a heavy truck mechanic. I was pleased to see that RURAL KING carries fine thread hardware and are new to my area. I will give them a shot as I need hardware for my tractors.
 

[Jason S.]

I've been lucky here. My friend that owns a bolt supply buys only american made stuff. Bolts, drill bits,tap&dies,etc. My understanding is that grade 8 is kind of like a file, they are hard but will break before bending, whereas grade 5 will bend.The TSC here redid their store and don't carry bolts and stuff like they used to. I wish we did have a good farm supply store.