H Axle Problem

[Doug Kieta]

My 51 H has developed a serious grinding noise in the right axle housing. It sounds to me like it is the outboard bearing. Does anyone have any good tips about how best to remove the wheel, and what then must be done to get to the bearing? It looks like a very tough repair Is it?

Thanks for any tips offered.

 

[Janicholson]

Heavy components, but doable. Drain the final housing (lots of oil). Remove the wheel and tire (if loaded) very heavy and not for hand work! loader or floor crane/lift. Remove the PTO housing. Through that PTO hole, place two bolts under the bull gear teeth to support it as shims while the axle is out. (bolt size to be selected and two so the gear does not rock forward or back. Remove the axle outer end cap where the axle is exposed. On the inside of the housing (through the PTO hole) loosen the bolt holding the axle into the bull gear a turn or two. Place a thick steel or metal shim between the bolt head left and right then use the pre-loosened bolt to push the axle out by unscrewing the bolt. This should allow the axle to be removed, and the bearing to be accessed. I may have forgot something, but that is basically it. Others will chime in I am sure. Jim

 

[Doug Kieta]

If the problem is just the outboard bearing, can it be replaced through the end cap without PTO removal?

 

[Janicholson]

If the problem is just the outboard bearing, can it be replaced through the end cap without PTO removal?

Could be if the bearing is destroyed in the process, but they might be pretty tight on the axle or housing. As no one chimed in to my statements, ? Jim

 

[caterpillar guy]

With regular greasing and inside shed storage we have never had those bearings go bad on our 53 H yet. Always a first time. I would for a better look inside recommend pulling the top lid so you can wash the last 65-70 years of sludge out of the oil galleys that oil those big bearings where the oil runs along the sides of the case. They will fill with crude and then the oil just runs off where ever it pleases some may get to the bearing but a lot of it will not. When my brother and dad had ours open they are full and they cleaned them, out at that time with all the other places that it filled in deposits. Then added new oil Probably about due for another cleaning only not as bad as it was that time. I doubt that pouring in some fuel oil and running it around the yard a bit will wash it all out even if you do it a couple times since most of those things are settled harder junk in those kinds of places from past experience.

 

[560Dennis]

tip is Jack it up with heavy duty support always don’t rely on hyd Jack and rotate it by hand . If you got help have them rotate and you or them feel for the crunch where it is .
happens that then that will confirm . Go on to investigate . That wheel has liquid in it don’t let it fall over .you won’t be able to pick it up with help. I use the back hoe or tractor loader for support. Saves an ER visiting.
you'll need 3/4 inch drive sockets and breaker bar about 1 1/8 Socket I think. They are torqued to 200 foot pounds.
you will find the that many of the spilt washers are broken ,so get new ones for all at your store. This a must do not reuse old .if they break and fall out the axle cap shuck the key on axle potential will crack the wheel . Don’t want that job. Get grade 8 washers .
i find it best to check both outside and inside cause the tremendous pressure the the outside failed bearing has on the inside, bull gear And axle .

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

If the problem is just the outboard bearing, can it be replaced through the end cap without PTO removal?

No. The bearing will not come off the outboard end of the axle. It has to go off the inboard end of the axle, as I understand it.