JD A transmission help

[ckamm]

I recently bought an A, I believe it is a 49. I got the tractor running and changed all the fluids. When running the tractor in fourth gear it has a vibration/grinding noise in the transmission. Every other gear and the pto sound normal. Any suggestions on where to go next? Help??? Thanks

 

[Gene Davis (Ga.)]

This noise sounds like the bearings on the 4th and 6th gear shaft are giving out. It is in the bottom of the transmission.Part of
the gears are under a cover on the lefty side behind the flywheel which you will to remove to get a them. Also,you
will have to pull most of the other gears and shafts out to do the job, so either get a book or take mountains of
pictures as you go, One bit of advice from hard bought experience. The wrench and I think it is 5/16 needed to take
the setscrews out needs to have a box and open end, tie a string thru the box end and tie the string to your wrist,
it will save you many cuss words and much time hunting it in the bottom of he transmission. I know this for a fact.
Gene Davis

 

[ckamm]

Thank you, can I ask what the relation is between 4 and 6? the tractor has the high/low that splits the gears for shifting in 1-3, 2-4,and 5-6.

 

[NoDakInMN]

(quoted from post at 20:39:59 10/27/21) Thank you, can I ask what the relation is between 4 and 6? the tractor has the high/low that splits the gears for shifting in 1-3, 2-4,and 5-6.

I believe they share a common shaft that they slide on. The bearings for that shaft may be the source of your noise. Those are pretty stout bearings but they can go bad. But before I tore into it the deep, I would check the outer right hand bearing on the input shaft. If I'm not mistaken, on the A that is accessed by removing a small cover on the reduction gear housing that is held on with 2 bolts. That is a much smaller bearing and is prone to go out as the method of lubrication is more fickle. It also should be a more standard bearing and not too expensive, I can't say the same for the other ones. If those are bad, I would take the numbers off of them and try to source them from someplace other than Deere. Just got through putting all 3 bearings on the imput shaft on my B, $12 for the one under the 2 bolt cover, just over $200 for the other two, and that was from a source other than Deere.

 

[Pappy]

If your tractor has the HI/Low shifter, it is most likely an earlier model than a 1949.
Re-check your serial number to be sure. The basic construction of the gears is similar, but could complicate finding replacement parts.

 

[Drew]

I have a 1949 A. It has a high/low shifter. That didn't change until 1950.

 

[forty40]

The 51A I bought made a vibrating growl in 2nd gear, turned out to be the bearings on the upper and lower shaft were worn and pitted.
Changing out the bearings took me more than 2 weeks which included replacing rear axle seals. Bearings were $400, must have used every tool in the toolbox plus pullers and torch. Reassembly of the lower shaft is much easier by making a long shaft, threaded on one end, that can slide thru the case. Load the gears and spacer on the shaft, then as it is drawn thru with the shaft screwed into the threaded end, slide the parts onto the shaft. Trying to reach down in the case and assemble the parts without help or an assembly tool, need to be a three armed squidward.

 

[Glen D Anderson]

Now that's funny right there I don't care who you are!

Thanks for the laugh. Made my afternoon....

Trying to reach down in the case and assemble the parts without help or an assembly tool, need to be a three armed squidward.

 

[wayne bullen]

while we're on the subject, how do you remove the big reduction gear? I tried using
a puller,but it didn't budge. so I gave up, not wanting to break something.The
service manual just says remove it.