Repairing worn spindles

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

I am working on a C-121 and the spindles had some pretty worn spots from lack of maintenance on the wheel bearing and thought I would share this here rather than in my C-121 thread. That way it was searchable for others. 

 

I am sure there are other threads on this but this is how I am repairing mine, not the only way and some may not agree with my repair.

 

To me welding them up or brazing and then reshaping seems like a lot of work for a 5 mph tractor.

 

I used JB weld and then filed them to rough shape and finished with 220 sandpaper. 

 

I will try to remember to update this later and see how they hold up, I tend to used things like a rented mule! 

 

 

 

 

[peter lena 8,627]

@RandyLittrell , good save attempt on those spindles , recommend trying   , lucas xtra heavy duty chassis grease, on those wear / bearing areas , also pack the bearings , really stands up , use it on all my stuff , no issues , walmart , 5 $ , pete

[ebinmaine 67,498]

I'll be following this to see if you have any further impressions or updates.

 

 

You could upgrade that a little more and go to a sealed bearing.

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

8 minutes ago, peter lena said:

also pack the bearings

 

 

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

You could upgrade that a little more and go to a sealed bearing.

 

I bought this kit on Amazon for $11 and it has sealed bearings, so we will see how it works out. 

 

Randy

 

[Lee1977 6,659]

B J Weld is good stuff it will be interesting to see how well it holds up on the spindles.  

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

12 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@RandyLittrell , good save attempt on those spindles , recommend trying   , lucas xtra heavy duty chassis grease, on those wear / bearing areas , also pack the bearings , really stands up , use it on all my stuff , no issues , walmart , 5 $ , pete

 

I love Lucas oil products and since I live a little over an hour away from Lucas oil speedway, I try to support products close to home! 

 

Nothing to lose on the spindles but a few bucks in JB Weld and a little of my time. I have more time than money these days! 

 

 

Thanks, Randy

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

They have went up a little in price, but still a good deal if they hold up. 

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R73CWR2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

 

Randy

[ebinmaine 67,498]

I bought the 10 pack from there which doesn't have any of the spacers or clips or anything. Had that stuff here anyway but it turned out I didn't need them. They lined up perfectly. We put them on the military tractor and I just put them on cinnamon. No time on them yet so I can't speak for longevity but they seem to work well and they're nice and smooth and tight.

 

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

I bought the 10 pack from there which doesn't have any of the spacers or clips or anything. Had that stuff here anyway but it turned out I didn't need them. They lined up perfectly. We put them on the military tractor and I just put them on cinnamon. No time on them yet so I can't speak for longevity but they seem to work well and they're nice and smooth and tight.

 

 

I think you had posted about that 10 pack and that's how I found the kit with the caps. I didn't have any caps on my wheels, so got a bonus! 

 

Randy 

[pacer 3,169]

Not a bad idea using JB to patch the axle, that stuff is pretty amazing and I wouldnt be surprised if you didnt get at least 2-3 more yrs out of them.....

 

I gave up on that horrible mess/method of lubing the bearings by cramming almost a full tube of grease in that big cavity hoping some would get to a bearing!! Some several yrs ago I found a "lot" of 10 sealed bearings on the bay for .... cheap, and thats all I use now -- no probs.  In fact I ...think? I've got one 48" deck that I changed over to sealed that must be in its 6th or 7th season.

 

Had never seen that Amazon 'deal' -- that looks like a keeper to me.

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by pacer

[JoeM 7,874]

Bought an 522xi with a leaking transmission seal. I know why the guy did not fix it, he JB Welded the worn hub to the axle when he changed the seal the first time.

Turns out the JB hardened and got into the new seal wiping it out.

I had to use a big puller to get it off and it did not come easy.

[ranger 1,750]

Nothing to do with WheelHorses, but, Around ten years or more ago I used ‘J.B. Weld’ on the main spindle of an irrigator hose reel. The ones you see in potato fields, which rotate and reel in the water ‘gun’ using water pressure. The chrome plating on the stationary shaft had severe pitting which chewed up the large ‘O’ rings rotating with the reel and sealing against the shaft, (or not!). The pits were ‘Touched’ with a drill bit to derust, JB Weld applied, sanded down and polished, it has been used every year since with no sign of leaks or seal damage, (also works on pitted hydraulic ram / cylinder pistons).

Doug.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I love JB Weld.Use a lot of it.Whoever invented it should get a Nobel prize.

[Retired Wrencher 5,455]

Randy I have used J.B. on axels for the keyway or woodruff repair. This is tuff stuff. 

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Nice idea with the JB weld. Interested to see how it holds up.

 

On my lawn ranger spindles, mine were worn because the stock wheels didn't have bearings, just bronze bushings in the wheels. Caused the damage seen below.

 

Lucky for me, AZ Tractors had a set of NOS ones I was able to snag, and swapped on wheels with bearings to prevent this in the future.

 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

Check this thread out, guys... very helpful and relates! 

 

If that kit does not last as long as you like, @RandyLittrell... check out what I used in the below post. 

 

You will like it too, @ebinmaine

 

Don