1989 312-8 bad axle bearing help!

[Gordyhogg 150]

Hello im new to this site. I have a 68 commando 8 ive had since the winter and has been a great tractor up until recently it decided to quit on me right after mowing...but thatll be a later project. So last week i picked up a 1989 312-8 for $550 in decent shape with a 48" deck. I noticed the left side axle seal leaking so this weekend i replaced it and upon doing so noticed a little play in the axle not horrible but it was there. Knowing this was probably going to happen i replaced the seal anyways (got it from napa) hoping for the best. the new seal took up the little play in the axle and i mowed with it. Afterwards i noticed it seeping a little and now i understand the bearing is probaby bad enough to need replacing. Can anyone give me some pointers on how to go about doing this and where to source the correct parts and any other things i should do while im in there? By the way it has the 1" axles. Help is much appreciated! Thanks!

Edited July 22, 2019 by Gordyhogg

[The Tuul Crib 7,337]

Unfortunatly the the trans will have to 

be split open to replace the bearings .

@stevasaurus has great step by step 

on that . I believe someone here can 

get you the bearings.   Good luck! 

 

to

[pfrederi 17,881]

There are two bearings on the axle.  Usually it is the outer needle bearing that fails.  For seals and bearing #s check the pinned post at the top of this section.

 

Here is link to how to video

 

 

[Gordyhogg 150]

Thanks tool crib! Thats what i figured id have to do. Ill check out his page n see if i can find it. I sure appreciate it!

[Gordyhogg 150]

Thanks pfrederi! Im assuming the 4 speed is ver similar to the 8 speed as far as this process goes right?

[pfrederi 17,881]

16 minutes ago, Gordyhogg said:

Thanks pfrederi! Im assuming the 4 speed is ver similar to the 8 speed as far as this process goes right?

Yes

[oliver2-44 9,866]

To make the transmission job a little easier many of drain the gear oil, then fill them with gear oil and drive them around for 5 -10 minutes. Then drain diesel and you have a lot cleaner transmission internally when your disassemble it.

 

Here's the manual for your transmission

http://www.mywheelhorse.com/graphics/file/Transmissions/Transmission_6-8SpeedMechanicalTransmissionServiceManual_A-1392.pdf

 

here's one of our great vendors that has all your transmission parts.

https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/about-us.html

[stevasaurus 22,866]

For the 8 speed trans with 1" axles...KOYO or Torrington B-1616 for the outer axle bearings.  SKF 9815 for the axle seals.  NAPA, Motion Industries, etc. carry these. 

[Gordyhogg 150]

Thanks guys! Aside from this issue...do yall think i got a good deal? The tractor has 1300 hrs on it but runs great. Im not sure what its worth exactly but he was asking $700 but i taked him down to $550 because of the axle leak. He claims the motor was rebuilt at around 1000 hrs but no proof. 

Edited July 22, 2019 by Gordyhogg

[953 nut 55,786]

You paid a very reasonable price for the 312.  A  will outlast any of the big box mowers you could buy and the throw-away mowers cost three times as much as you paid. While you have the transmission out you can inspect all the bearings and replace all four seals. The posts @stevasaurus has under the topic https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/144-transmissions/ are a tremendous help.        

[stevasaurus 22,866]

When you figure that a new push mower can run over $400...you get to ride this one.  Plus it will move snow with a blade or blower on it.  I would be a little cautious about that engine being re-built with no receipts for labor or parts.  Change the oil on it and look it over good...keep a watchful eye on it for a while.    Make sure you keep grass from building up under the engine tins...or mice nests.

[Gordyhogg 150]

Will do for sure! I really aporeciate all the helpful info guys. Now when i go to replace the needle bearings...do the ball bearings have to come out in order to get them out? And whats the best way to remove them and install new ones? Is there a thread or video on here about that?

[Gordyhogg 150]

Also i cleaned the carb out yesterday and it idles beautifully now. Before it would die on low throttle. Now i have 2 problems...one, they key will not kill the engine (and i cleaned the pins on the back of the ignition cylinder) and two, if i restart the engine after its been shut down it backfires very loudly out of the exhaust. Any thoughts? 

[pfrederi 17,881]

Make sure the ignition switch body is grounded.  Check for continuity between it and the battery - terminal. I You have a magneto system to stop it the ignition switch grounds the magneto.  In the off position there should be continuity between the M terminal of the switch and ground.

 

Backfire.  If the switch isn't stopping it how are you shutting it down?  If you do it by choking then there is a gas build up that will detonate on restart.

Edited July 23, 2019 by pfrederi

[Gordyhogg 150]

2 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Make sure the ignition switch body is grounded.  Check for continuity between it and the battery - terminal. I You have a magneto system to stop it the ignition switch grounds the magneto.  In the off position there should be continuity between the M terminal of the switch and ground.

 

Backfire.  If the switch isn't stopping it how are you shutting it down?  If you do it by choking then there is a gas build up that will detonate on restart.

Thanks! Ill have to check that out...my spark plug wire is missing the rubber boot so ive been using a screw driver to ground it to the top of the motor.

[stevasaurus 22,866]

To tap out the axle bearings, you do not have to remove the #1533 ball bearing...you can use a good punch and a ball peen hammer to remove and replace the bearing and seal.  You can also find the right size socket and put an extension in the socket from the inside and use the back side as an arbor. 

 

[Gordyhogg 150]

Thank you @stevasaurus i still have to tear the tractor apart and get this thing opened up. Ive already sourced the needle bearings and two more new seals from napa. Hopefully i wont have to order any more bearings etc; any idea which transmission this is and where i can find a case gasket? I think and hope thatll be the last piece to the puzzle...Also my flat pulley on my mule drive is completely toast and my shifter boot is too and i have those on the way from ebay 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Gordyhogg

[pfrederi 17,881]

8 speed transaxle case gasket WH# 3912  Still available from Toro

[stevasaurus 22,866]

Your transmission should be a #110995...4 pinion with 1" axles.    That TORO gasket is about $6.00

[Gordyhogg 150]

This look correct?

[stevasaurus 22,866]

That would be it. 

[Burnerman 758]

On 7/29/2019 at 5:11 PM, Gordyhogg said:

This look correct?

Great source for trans parts! 

[Gordyhogg 150]

Finally tore it apart. Found there were a couple more bearimgs bad than i thought. Anybody know the part numbers for these? One is the big inner axle bearing and the other is where i believe the mushroom gear sits? (I think thats what its called) and yes, thats how i found them...broken/ and or completely missing...drained all the loose needle bearings with the oil.

Edited December 7, 2019 by Gordyhogg

[pfrederi 17,881]

One of our vendors has what yo need.  he is only source for the big ball bearing 1533.

 

https://www.wheelhorsepartsandmore.com/bearings.html

[Gordyhogg 150]

Thanks! Do you recommend i replace both 1533's? And do you have any idea what number the other bearing is? (2nd pic) Its totally gone i just know it was a needle bearing and the big mushroom gear sat in it there was so much slop but surprisingly the transmission operated fine with no noises before i tore it apart minus the leaking axle. I already replaced both outer axle bearings and seals just need to order these and get it put back together (hopefully) 

Edited December 8, 2019 by Gordyhogg