What keeps the axles in place ?

[NickG 2]

Greetings from England everybody,

 

Bought myself an SK486 a while back. Just got the Kohler 16hp running but when I put it into gear the tractor doesn’t move. Thinking it might be the axle keys I took the back wheels off and the rear axle came out with the hub. Looks like a needle bearing has gone that the axle slots into. I’ve looked at the transmission diagrams but can’t work out what holds the axle in place to stop it coming out. Is it just the needle bearings? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[lynnmor 7,353]

A retaining ring goes in this groove, you will need to split the transmission to repair.

 

[Maxwell-8 4,289]

a c-clip or snapring, often gets of the axle when people want to remove the hub with a hammer.

 

Bought one whit the same issue.

and when a bearing goes out, you have to be carfull and stop using the tranny, you will have to split th tranny and take out all the bearing rollers and pull the remainings of the bearing and place a now one in. 

replaced bearings 4-5 times in the 2 year ownership of these tractors

Edited May 7, 2022 by Maxwell-8

[ri702bill 8,485]

And a good time to replace the axle, input, and brake shaft seals if they are at all questionable.

@Maxwell-8 - the inside of that 8 speed looks mighty clean - way to go!!

[953 nut 55,753]

This video done by @stevasaurus will give you a good idea of what needs to be done. Her did not show installation of the snap ring but be sur to have the sharp edge of the snap ring facing outward.   

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by 953 nut

[NickG 2]

Many thanks Guys, your help is much appreciated.

 

i now know why, when I first got the tractor, why the fittings in the picture were fitted on the back. The previous owner was probably took scared to split the transmission 😂.

 

Thanks again. Can’t wait to get this horse moving’

[ri702bill 8,485]

23 minutes ago, NickG said:

The previous owner was probably took scared to split the transmission

"Necessity is the Mother of Butchery"

At least the older 4 speeds had a cross drilled hole and a much more robust spring pin in it to keep the axle in the differential.

Edited May 7, 2022 by ri702bill

[Maxwell-8 4,289]

44 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

@Maxwell-8 - the inside of that 8 speed looks mighty clean - way to go!!

thanks, I often find rust and dirt inside the transaxles.

I am already into the habit that if the oil inside the transmission isn't clean. I open up the transmission.

Always peace of mind knowing your tranny is spotless inside.

 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,485]

Has anyone tried using the full circle style ring that has about 2-1/2 turns and fits standard grooves?? I can only assume that the segmented diameter caused by the spline contributes to the problem.

[ri702bill 8,485]

5 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said:

Always peace of mind knowing your tranny is spotless inside.

 

And an opportunity to eliminate any little Gremlins inside awaiting their turn to be a problem. Like a loose needle bearing roller at the bottom of the case....

[roadapples 6,983]

[Handy Don 12,445]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Has anyone tried using the full circle style ring that has about 2-1/2 turns and fits standard grooves?? I can only assume that the segmented diameter caused by the spline contributes to the problem.

Never occurred to me until seeing this idea posted today! Need a slightly wider groove, it seems, looking at the McMaster specs.

 

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

And a good time to replace the axle, input, and brake shaft seals if they are at all questionable.

Excellent point. The extra expense to do all the seals when it's open is nothing compared to the aggravation of re-opening!

[Ed Kennell 38,633]

3 hours ago, NickG said:

Many thanks Guys, your help is much appreciated.

 

i now know why, when I first got the tractor, why the fittings in the picture were fitted on the back. The previous owner was probably took scared to split the transmission 😂.

 

Thanks again. Can’t wait to get this horse moving’

Was that to replace a missing axle bearing?    It would not have secured an axle with a missing snap ring retainer.

[ri702bill 8,485]

Well... the seals are externally replaceable, but is is much easier to pop them out with no shaft in the way. But it does turn a 2 beer job into an afternoon of frustration...

[ri702bill 8,485]

3 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

It would not have secured an axle with a missing snap ring retainer.

Ed - over time that would have cut a groove in the shaft as it squeaked away - making somewhat of a half-a$$ed semi-retainer!!

[NickG 2]

Yes. Looks like they cut a groove in the axle. Glad I spotted it before I put the tractor to work 😅

42 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Was that to replace a missing axle bearing?    It would not have secured an axle with a missing snap ring retainer.

 

[ri702bill 8,485]

1 hour ago, NickG said:

Yes. Looks like they cut a groove in the axle. Glad I spotted it before I put the tractor to work 😅

"No more calls folks, we have a Grand Prize Winner".....

again, "Necessity is the Mother of Butchery"... and here it is, almost Mother's Day!!!