Spindle Bearings Ala 520

[WHX?? 50,686]

Saw these on fleabay & price was somewhat reasonable. Not that I would buy them ...just not seeing how the they would work on a horse without shaving off the bottom of the axle and getting the e-clip on. 

 

I have gone the route of oil lites with minor hand filing. Did it make a difference ...  but there was no heavy load on the front end of this tractor. 

Edited December 8, 2024 by WHX??

[lynnmor 7,556]

You can put together your own kit with parts from McMaster-Carr.  The thrust washers are available in different thicknesses, but McMaster reduced the number of thicknesses they offer so I did find a supplier for what I wanted.  I might be able to find it, but not today.  Many tractors  (all of mine), have excess play and I actually use old thrust washers on top to help prevent dirt intrusion.  You will need to use the hardened washers on both sides of the roller bearings.

[peter lena 9,085]

@lynnmor  like the  HILLMAN MACHINE WASHERS , along with  lucas green  chassis grease , since also eliminating  side to side thrusting / shucking , verify with suspended front end , like yours , that set up really details in the sloppy issue . led me to go after  every related motion point . typically finding sloppiness , accented by related linkage points . ironically  that same mind set  of detailing in function ,has  made related lever / linkage connections , smooth / solid .the pto lever set up , and the related , plow steering quadrant lever / linkage , is a gold mine for improvement , basically , aded washers , longer bolt shank / elastic lok nuts to hold in perfect movement function , there is a very fine , movement  setting , that makes that plow blade move with total ease , also lubricate the plow face , and sense the  ease of snow release, no rust , pete     

[kpinnc 13,703]

2 hours ago, WHX?? said:

just not seeing how the they would work on a horse without shaving off the bottom of the axle and getting the e-clip on. 

My 520-H swept axles all had these from the factory. But they ride in a recess in the bottom of the axle. I think this helps in keeping the crud out. They definitely make steering easier so long as they are clean and greasy. Especially true for over size tires or heavy weight up front. 
 

Edited December 8, 2024 by kpinnc

[Ed Kennell 40,453]

3 hours ago, WHX?? said:

.just not seeing how the they would work on a horse

Just D & T the top end for a bolt like some of the older "good" spindles.

[ri702bill 8,951]

Nice idea, but a few words of caution.....

The top of the steering arm, shown where the washer & rotary thrust bearing wii go MAY not be flat and true to the axle boss. Check for even wear... IF only one corner is in contact, you run a very good chance of cracking the hardened washers and damaging the bearing. The entire weight load and vibration are concentrated into a tiny area. Like comparing the area of a Flip-Flop to that of a high heeled shoe....

 

Having machined several axles to allow room for bushings or bearings while still only having .010" gap under the retaining ring to the axle, I have seen what I described above on at least one.

 

[peter lena 9,085]

@ri702bill  also like the black vinyl grease caps , on top of those spindles . pete

[Handy Don 13,340]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Having machined several axles to allow room for bushings or bearings 

Bill flattened and shortened the bottoms of a 312-H axle for me to make room for thrust bearings (a HUGE improvement for steering) and still get the clip on. I was very surprised at how far NOT in planes perpendicular to the bore they were.

We also looked at the spindles where standard washers are welded to the ¾” rod to support the axle. Fortunately, they were darn close to “in plane” -- probably because a jig was used during manufacture.

[Horse Newbie 7,195]

5 hours ago, kpinnc said:

My 520-H swept axles all had these from the factory

My 1994 520H with swept front axle had these thrust bearings and washers from the factory also…

[953 nut 57,833]

8 hours ago, WHX?? said:

.just not seeing how the they would work on a horse without shaving off the bottom of the axle and getting the e-clip on

I shaved a bit of the TOP of the axle since the bottom would need to be dead flat but the top could be a bit off without a problem.

[kpinnc 13,703]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

also like the black vinyl grease caps , on top of those spindles . pete

They definitely keep the crud from sticking to fresh grease! 
 

 

[Bar Nuthin 935]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

@ri702bill  also like the black vinyl grease caps , on top of those spindles . pete

 

Dang it! I went and used some red ones I had laying around. Now what am I gonna do?  

[Ed Kennell 40,453]

Do we really need the E clip on the spindles ?        Maybe when we lift the front to drain the tranny

[Handy Don 13,340]

53 minutes ago, Bar Nuthin said:

Dang it! I went and used some red ones I had laying around. Now what am I gonna do?  

Check if Santa needs a WH to guide his sleigh?

[WHX?? 50,686]

9 hours ago, kpinnc said:

ride in a recess in the bottom of the axle.

This I did not know ... never had a reason to take one apart. 

 

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

Do we really need the E clip on the spindles ?

Ya think?? Naaaww this would get alot more exciting when the front end drops off ...  

[Lee1977 7,033]

12 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Do we really need the E clip on the spindles ?        Maybe when we lift the front to drain the tranny

If everthing is table top flat with no ditches, curbs, or banks you don't, but my neigabor lost a front wheel off her zero turn. Luckly the only damage was a little paint when the deck ran over it.

[pfrederi 18,322]

14 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I shaved a bit of the TOP of the axle since the bottom would need to be dead flat but the top could be a bit off without a problem.

That is what I do

[WHX?? 50,686]

22 hours ago, lynnmor said:

your own kit with parts from McMaster-Carr.

Seller only wanted 20 bucks.. I doubt one could get them from MC for less than that. Yes I am frugal ... 

 

14 hours ago, 953 nut said:

I shaved a bit of the TOP of the axle

Good Idea there Richard.. Guy could redneck engineer that with the right angle grinder. Just to stay on Wallfish's side of the fence.  

 

Then again

18 hours ago, ri702bill said:

MAY not be flat and true to the axle boss.

 

[WHX?? 50,686]

23 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Not that I would buy them ...

Now that I'm thinkin about it I have a C-145 that steers like a lumber wagon... 

[pfrederi 18,322]

14 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Seller only wanted 20 bucks.. I doubt one could get them from MC for less than that. Yes I am frugal ... 

 

 

 

 Needles are $3.92 ea  Washers  $1.35 ea at McMaster

[WHX?? 50,686]

1 minute ago, pfrederi said:

 Needles are $3.92 ea  Washers  $1.35 ea at McMaster

Thank you Paul I love MC. They have everything and fast but they always take me to the house on shipping. 

[pfrederi 18,322]

Just now, WHX?? said:

Thank you Paul I love MC. They have everything and fast but they always take me to the house on shipping. 

 Interesting usual about $10 shipping (doesn't vary much unless I have something really big/long so I do batch stuff when I order) and if I order by 5:30 PM it comes the next day UPS.

[WHX?? 50,686]

23 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

order by 5:30 PM it comes the next day UPS.

Yep ...  I ordered some bushings for a sickle bar and ship around 10. Threw on a very small package of fine thread screws for the Amigo and shipping went up another 10 ...

[ri702bill 8,951]

46 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

They have everything and fast but they always take me to the house on shipping. 

The scenarios you have to watch out for from MC regarding shipping cost....

 

You place an order for 4 or so items, but one is "Out of Stock". MC states "Usually ships in 3-5 days".... it does, but with its own shipping charge.

 

"Ships from Manufacturer"  This can get expensive if you are on the East coast and they are on the West. i always call their 800 number to verify shipping cost before I actually order when this happens. Sometimes the shipping costs more than the item!!!

[pfrederi 18,322]

You have to watch where it is coming from.  Some items show as being in Chicago not New Jersey.  If you have a mix it is double shipping..