JoeM 7,871 #1 Posted April 18, 2020 Picked up an 522xi a while back on the cheep. 1500 hours on the meter, it had some issue. Leaking rear crank seal, loose rear axle hubs, noisy bearings in clutch and very dirty. Rear seal was brittle. Replaced both front and rear seals plus the foam seal for the cool air intake. Repacked the clutch bearings, new bearings were pricey. About half the cost of a new clutch. Being a back up machine figured I would just re-grease and give it a try. One rear hub was extremely bad and required an axle replacement. I weld that hub until I got the engine straightened out. If the engine wasn't right I was going to part it out. The seal replacement worked and I moved on to the rear axle issues. Cut the welded rear hub off, disassembled and replaced one of the axles. I was able to get axles out of an old 8 speed that were the were the correct length. Gearing looked great for 1500 hours. Waiting for the brake shaft seal and then it goes back together. 5 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,300 #2 Posted April 18, 2020 Very ambitious project...but sounds like you’ll have a nice rig when your all done 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,266 #3 Posted April 18, 2020 Are these the 22hp gas engine tractors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #4 Posted April 18, 2020 22 hp yes, power steering too! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #5 Posted April 18, 2020 17 minutes ago, Sparky said: Very ambitious project For sure! I am finding out these are beastly machines but they are great deal harder to work on then the 520's. Well got to stay home anyway, something to tinker with. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #6 Posted April 18, 2020 Glad to see that you finally got a real tractor, Joe. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt-NEPA 755 #7 Posted April 19, 2020 You've one of the best garden tractors ever built. Well worth putting some money and effort into it. I replaced the engine and hydro on my 522xi and have never regretted it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,738 #8 Posted April 22, 2020 The xi series is quite possibly one of the most underrated and overlooked late model GT’s around. We have owned a 523D for about 5 years now and I don’t regret the purchase for a moment. They are tanks and very capable hard workers. I’ll be watching to see what you make of your 522! 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #9 Posted April 22, 2020 Got the hydro back together and in tested on the stands, ran good. No leaks. Got it on the side for now, working on some higher priority stuff. (I am thinking though, a new FEL might be nice)! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #10 Posted April 22, 2020 On 4/18/2020 at 11:33 AM, shallowwatersailor said: finally got a real tractor, Joe Hey Sailor, only xi regret.....not buying one of yours! Those were nice machines! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #11 Posted April 24, 2020 (edited) On 4/22/2020 at 12:06 PM, TractorJunkie said: Hey Sailor, only xi regret.....not buying one of yours! Those were nice machines! They were very nice! Way overkill for the house that I have now. Here is my first, the 518xi, at the old house. Edited April 24, 2020 by shallowwatersailor 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #12 Posted May 3, 2020 Got it up and running, everything worked out. Only issue was the breather hose on the air cleaner wasn't all the way on and faked me out thinking I missed an oil leak. Put an old 60" deck on and mowed the lawn. That old deck was quiet and smooth, it does need some metal work. Power steering is sweet. Overall, It is a good machine. (can be yours for 1200 bucks) lol, I ended up with another that is not as good but will make a great FEL machine. Someone needs to take this one and mow. I took a quick video while mowing the front yard. Joe 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
