loose rear axle

[CHUCK CAMBIS]

we were removing the cast hubs of my '50 DC case and the shaft seemed to move up and down. Once the hubs were removed I tried the right side axle in and out and up and down. tight! left side moves easily in and out about .100" and when pushed in it has no up and down movement. when the shaft is pulled out the shaft moves up and down 1/4" at the shaft end. What parts and repairs are needed? any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks. chuck

 

[1031D]

To do it right you are going to have to pull the rear end cover off and take a peek inside. Chances are the bearings are shot and while your in there the chains probably need adjusting. If you have 0.100" of slop I don't know if I'd just tighten them up and run.
Our IH SMTA had a similar problem. When I jacked it up to replace the rear tires the RH axle started leaking. Both bearings were shot but it had sagged so gradually that the oil seal didn't leak until I made it suddenly move the other way.

 

[CHUCK CAMBIS]

thankyou for a response! I finally got the wheel
hub off and pulled the outer grease seal retainer
hopeing there would be a nut behind the bearing I
could tighten.........wrong! this tractor has the
hydraulic cultivator lift on the back so getting
in there is going to be a PITA! no options but to
get in there so now i need the size of the axle
nut and will it require a wrench or do i have room
for a rachet and socket. need to get wrench first
to minimize my down time, or more honestly,
getting the tractor out of the wifes parking area!

 

[1031D]

I have no idea what size the nut it but a 24" Crescent wrench should get it. It's pretty big I know. Also a good idea to check the chain tension too.

 

[CHUCK CAMBIS]

thanks! I guess i should be looking to find the nut
loose to explain the sloppy shaft. if the nuts
tight then the bearings must be shot. the rear
housing is all the way forward so the chain has
never been adjusted...........MCHN TO ALL!

 

[JimEvans]

I usually use a pipe wrench or a big pair of channel lock pliers. The nut isn't very tight, since it is used to set the bearing. Unless something happened to the keeper that locks the nut down so that the nut actually backed off, you have one or more bad bearings. If you find that you have one bad bearing, you may want to check the other axle as well. I have restored an SC and several DCs and all had pitted, heavily worn axle bearings. The may last a long time on parade duty, but if you use the tractor or go on tractor rides, you should check the bearings.