Setting differential mesh on F-20

EM Iowa · Jul 21, 2013

I read the service manual to learn most of the details. The only thing I didn't understand was why paint the pinion to see where it wears off? I can't paint it or see it while it's in the transmission. Am I supposed to paint it while its removed and then install it? Or could I instead paint the ring gear which is easily accessible?
Any tips that aren't in the service manual are appreciated.

Nebraska Cowman · Jul 21, 2013

I wouldn't worry about the "paint" Just adjust it til the gears have a slight amount of free play. Very slight, almost imperceptible. And if you have mis-matched gears from two different tractors they will not be worn even and will likely be noisy no matter what you do.

Nebraska Kirk · Jul 21, 2013

I would not worry too much about it, spec for gear backlash is .006". I tightened up the gear lash on my Regular when I rebuilt it, it is still noisy, just the nature of the beast. The straight cut gears are naturally noisy, many years of wear just makes it worse.

rustred · Jul 22, 2013

you don't actually paint the gears. its a blue or yellow paint that is designed to be used on 3 or 4 teeth of the crown gear to see where the gears are meshing with each other. you do this on diff. overhauls along with the backlash settings. you use this "paint" on the teeth everytime you make a change in settings till you get it right, which can be many times. for face and flank you move the pinion, for heal and toe you move the crown. crown and pinion's are installed as a matched set, meaning u cant just use on or the other. but in these old tractors anything is possible, and if not matched it will be noisier than heck, and usually not able to get the proper adjustment.

Phil Tibbetts · Jul 22, 2013

We had an old 1943 H and the rear end was noisy so I replaced all the bearings and adjusted the rear end and when It was all back together it was still noisy. Used it like that for years with no problems Straight cut gears are just naturally more noisy than helical ones.

Central Illinois · Jul 22, 2013

The "paint" you are asking about is a blueing agent which you can buy at most places like Napa, Carquest, etc. However if you don't know what you are looking at it will just look like smudged grease. If you look I am sure you can find a chart to show what to look at. Basically you want a ring and pinion to roll smoothly. If it turns kind of hard and not smooth it is too tight. I have set a few in the Deere 9020 series 4wd's that when I got done with setting them according to the book they would cut a piece of paper but not be set too tight. It's a fine line. In your situation you have some forgiveness in your tolerances. Good luck and be patient. You will get it.

Setting differential mesh on F-20

EM Iowa

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Nebraska Cowman

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Nebraska Kirk

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rustred

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Phil Tibbetts

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Central Illinois

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