New Holland skidsteer axle worn where bearing is

Cas · Dec 7, 2013

I have a New Holland LS160. The axle bearings spun on the axle. About .005 is worn off where the bearing is on the axle. I was thinking about different ways to build it up. Have the ablity to grind it back down to spec.
I took it to a engine shop that I have used for 30 years. They thought welding it would weaken it. Said to much carbon in axle. He mentioned some loctite product that will fill in up to .030.
I have welded up and ground a lot of parts over the years and never had a problem with part failing. Would anybody have any ideas on what you would?
ps machine shop has a crankwelder and I thought it would be easier to grind than if done by stickwelding.

e · Dec 7, 2013

I agree with your shop, use loctite. I have two New Hollands where I've loctited axles bearings and they are still nice and tight. Clean both the shaft and the bearing ID with break cleaner and apply Loctite 7471 primer for a good cure. The retaining compound to use is loctite 680 and can be ordered from McMaster.

I would be very hesitant to touch that shaft with a stick welder as all you would do is add stress concentrations which weaken it. Spray weld or brazing is the only way I would build it up. Those axles just work way too hard and all that will eventually happen is you'll induce a fatigue crack if you stick weld on it.

The key with New Holland axles is make certain you get the preload right. And with the outboard bearing, if it's spun, make sure the shoulder the bearing presses against is smooth and doesn't have ridges. If it's not, you'll end up back at the same spot.

ErnieD · Dec 7, 2013

Can the shaft be turned down and a bushing be shrunk on the journal?

Flame spray a chrome finish and grind to size?

Make a new shaft it is not too complex.

IowaJohn · Dec 7, 2013

I had the rear axles of my 610 bobcat welded up and turned down. A very experienced bobcat mechanic recommended it. They had a couple of deep grooves in them. A 610 used 2 rubber seals per axle. I got tired of the wear sleeves wearing out under the seals. It's been a few years and I haven't had any problems yet.

greygoat · Dec 7, 2013

I"ve had Hydraulic pump shafts, and engine crank-
-shafts redone by the "Spray welding" process,
they are then ground down to the correct size.
It"s a very hard alloy, and works great.

RodinNS · Dec 7, 2013

You're probably best off to get a new axle... the shaft itself may have a fair amount of carbon but it's also a case hardened shaft so once you do weld it, the strength it once had will be a good deal less.
The bigger issue will be the fact that the shoulders the seal rides on and the meat of the flange plate that keeps crap off the seal will be gone. A new seal surface can be made by machining it down a bit and installing a custom bushing in place for the seal. I've done quite a lot of them on my LS170 at this point... and I'll probably do more... but I've also got a couple of axles like yours that now have spun the bearing a fair amount. Loctite 670 doesn't last very long in that application. I've tried it, several times... those machines just beat on their axles and bearings so hard... it's difficult to keep bearings in them once the shaft starts getting bad.
I've also installed grease tubes on mine so I have a central grease bank between the wheels and keep them greased more often. That helps but it's not the final answer...

Rod

New Holland skidsteer axle worn where bearing is

Cas

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e

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ErnieD

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IowaJohn

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greygoat

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RodinNS

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