C161 Front AXLE swap doesn't work :-(

[rodcogroup 3]

I  purchased a used Front axle set up ( axle, spindles and tires) 2 years ago at the Wheel horse show.

I need to upgrade my spindeles, because the factory ones were snapping with the loader. I was told that an Axle with 1" spindles will swap right into my existing tractor (1979 C-161).

 I snapped a factory axle today and decided to finally install the axle I purchased at the show. I think it was from a D250.

I was able to swap the axle into place, with no problem, but the new Steering links don't come close to reach the steering wheel shaft holes. The holes are also too small for the new tie rod ends.

I am at a loss now. Did I waste $200? Where do I get a left hand spindle for the original axle?

Thanks

Robert

Pittsburgh, PA

[mattd860 162]

You need more than just an axle, spindles, and tie rods to do this conversion. You also need a new intermediate steering shaft, steering gear, and possibly a new steering wheel shaft. Basically, everything between the steering wheel and front wheels needs to be replaced. 

[rodcogroup 3]

You need more than just an axle, spindles, and tie rods to do this conversion. You also need a new intermediate steering shaft, steering gear, and possibly a new steering wheel shaft. Basically, everything between the steering wheel and front wheels needs to be replaced. 

Oh Great...that seems like too much work. I have 4 yards of topsoil and 8 tons of pea stone to move now I need the tractor to use the loader.....So I need to fix it ASAP.

I guess I can reuse the old axle and just replace the spindles and tie rods. I did find the parts  ( spindle part # 115425 and Tie rods part #78-2900-01 ) instock online . Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to buy online for fastest delivery?

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

Howz come you can't drill out the holes to accept the tie rod ends, and have the tie rod shaft lengthened or shortened as needed?

[WH nut 553]

Rent a  bobcat to complete the job and take your time to fix the tractor

[Dieselcowboy 210]

I had my ark on a c160 and swapped over to a 520. It's ready for loader work from the get go.

[boovuc 1,090]

When your done with your Arc Loader, I'll drive west and take it off your hands. It would look nice on my 520 and my back would thank you!

But...If that is originally off a D250, I wouldn't have expected it to fit. (D's are quite different than the C's). I'm thinking the only drop in replacement would be a C-series or 300, 400 & 500 series axle with the HD 1"spindle upgrade or the 520 axle pre-gear reduction.

[mattd860 162]

The axle, spindles, and tie rods he purchased are from a 520. But the seller didn't furnish the rest of the parts needed to properly do the swap. I'm not sure but the tie rods should be able to be lengthened enough to reach the intermediate shaft and the holes can be drilled larger too. This should get you off and running but your steering probably won't feel any better until you get the rest of the parts. 

[ericj 1,578]

i saw on here were somebody made a plate up and bolted it to the steering shaft and it extended down and out to accept the 520 tie rods. just a piece of triangle shaped steel, it looked like the 520 shaft when done. i commented on it but i don't think anybody else picked up on it

 

eric j 

[boovuc 1,090]

OK. That makes more sense.

[Don1977 604]

i saw on here were somebody made a plate up and bolted it to the steering shaft and it extended down and out to accept the 520 tie rods. just a piece of triangle shaped steel, it looked like the 520 shaft when done. i commented on it but i don't think anybody else picked up on it

 

eric j 

The one I saw had a piece that was bent toward the rear of the tractor and was bolted on to the original tie rod holes with two 3/8" bolts. The bent looked to be around 10 to 12 degrees.

[dennist 139]

i saw on here were somebody made a plate up and bolted it to the steering shaft and it extended down and out to accept the 520 tie rods. just a piece of triangle shaped steel, it looked like the 520 shaft when done. i commented on it but i don't think anybody else picked up on it

 

eric j

This is the one I believe you are talking about..borrowed from dodge78's photobucket

[ericj 1,578]

thats the one i saw i thought there was some better picture of it 

 

eric j

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

The previous pic in that album shows the part cut and drilled, but not installed yet...

 

[Rollerman 290]

Jeff this is exactly what I fabbed up or made to fit a 520H front axle on a short frame mutt I built.

 

Oh Great...that seems like too much work. I have 4 yards of topsoil and 8 tons of pea stone to move now I need the tractor to use the loader.....So I need to fix it ASAP.

 

Robert this would be a pretty easy piece to build & would get you back to working with your tractor in a few hours.

[rodcogroup 3]

Jeff this is exactly what I fabbed up or made to fit a 520H front axle on a short frame mutt I built.

 

Oh Great...that seems like too much work. I have 4 yards of topsoil and 8 tons of pea stone to move now I need the tractor to use the loader.....So I need to fix it ASAP.

 

Robert this would be a pretty easy piece to build & would get you back to working with your tractor in a few hours.

Thanks..I thought of that before when the axle didn't fit, but I figured it would not steer well. The tractors are tough to steer with a full bucket to begin with.

[Jeff-C175 7,199]

Well, look at it this way... how much WORSE could it steer after than before?

 

And even if it still steers heavy, in a couple hours you could have been back to work... right?  Maybe with 'Popeye' arms when done, but at least done!

[baerpath 517]

If you  swap out the front tires to tri ribs that will help with the steering along with using the better axle

[rodcogroup 3]

Now I have a new issue. I ordered new Spindles for my original axle (1979 C-161 with loader) The part #'s are 115425 and115426 . I see from the toro parts diagram that the spindles do not have a built in brace like the spindles on my axle have..

I purchased some other spindles at the WH show a couple years ago and after digging them out of storage today, I noticed that they did NOT have this brace.

  Did the C-161 originally come with spindles that had the built in braces?

 

Robert

[Callen 64]

You could probably use the C161 tie rods if you go to a hardware and get some bushings and fender washers to shim up the tie rod hole in the spindles.

[MalMac 1,331]

No the C-161 did not come with HD spindles like what you have on yours. If you got the tractor with the Loader on it already then someone put the HD spindles on there because it had the Loader on it. Wheel Horse recommended the HD spindles when a Loader was used. I have bent a HD spindle while using my loader, But there again I was way over using it and picking up way more then it was intended to do. I knew this so I was ready to suffer the consequences of my actions. Under normal use and using the loader for what it is intended I have not had anymore problems.

[rodcogroup 3]

No the C-161 did not come with HD spindles like what you have on yours. If you got the tractor with the Loader on it already then someone put the HD spindles on there because it had the Loader on it. Wheel Horse recommended the HD spindles when a Loader was used. I have bent a HD spindle while using my loader, But there again I was way over using it and picking up way more then it was intended to do. I knew this so I was ready to suffer the consequences of my actions. Under normal use and using the loader for what it is intended I have not had anymore problems.

So where do I find the HD spindles? or even a part number for them?

The HD spindles I have are 3/4" not the 1" ones like on the D250 axle.

[buckrancher 2,679]

HD front kit #80490

check parts tree for numbers but I think the spindles are unavalable

 

Brian

[Dieselcowboy 210]

You could put a JD 210 -212 -214- 216 axle in it. The JD's have 1" factory axles. The axle pin is the same. It is rear swept on the JD but you can turn it around and make it forward swept. Only this I did on mine is weld on tabs for the tie rods to match the same distance on the W. H.  Probably way cheaper and easy-er than the proud WH. parts owners. I have a post on here of putting one in my C160. Awesome axle that I won't switch back. Worked great on my Ark 550 loader.

[rodcogroup 3]

Issue Solved!

I decided to take the simplest way out and it works great. I fabricated a small plate and drilled the corresponding holes for the steering shaft plate and the tie rod ends.

The tractor steers better than ever and now has a heavy duty front end. I already used it today with no issues. The only problem is that the parts I ordered for the original front end are of no use to me.

Oh well.. Live and learn. I'll probably throw them on ebay.

Robert Pittsburgh