D Radius rod pivot stud

[ram ranch]

Has anyone changed the stud on the bottom of the crankcase for the radius rod pivot on a model D? How much work is involved? Or should I make a bushing? All suggestion welcome. Thanks in advance, and for a great site!

 

[Donny-B]

I have changed the pin on my 47D. The pin screws directly into the crankcase (must drain the oil) and the threads are an interference fit. Changing the pin looks straight forward and could be done with basic tools. I would support the pivot housing, remove the cotter pin, nut, washers, and remove the pin by double nutting the end. To install, clean the housing threads, apply sealer to the pin and install by using the double nut method. Sounds simple?

If the pin is like mine it wont be that easy. After years of use the threads in my D's crankcase were a little loose. The pin was worn 50% through and the housing bore was egged. Also my front axle pivot was worn so I decided to removed the front axle and do a complete rebuild.

I installed bronze bushings in both the pivot housing and the axle as both were worn. The main axle pivot housing was OK but the axle pin needed replaced. Since the threads in the crankcase were worn I turned a new pin from 4142 heat treated steel with oversize pitch diameter to take up the slop.

The rework on my D's axle assembly was a weekend project but required a mill, lathe and various tools to do the job. If you have access to these machines and have moderate machining skills the work is simple other then moving all that cast iron! Hopefully all your bores are in good condition and it will be a simple pin replacement.

 

[dearjohndeere]

Yup, been there done that...

Reworked the frontend on my 38D a few years ago. I don't have the machines to do the work, so I disassembled the front end and brought the whole thing to the machine shop. He made new kingpins, axle pivots, and bushed all the worn holes. The front end is probably tighter now than the day it left Waterloo.
For the radius arm pivot you're speaking of, we ended up buying a grade 8 bolt from the local Caterpillar dealer, he cut off the bolt head and cut threads onto it. The biggest pain of the job was getting the old one out of the tractor!