[jerry_s]

I bought my 316 new in '85 and have greased the spindle and ball joint zerks twice each year, just before mowing season and then again right before snowblowing. I have never noticed excessive play in the steering or axle, but thought maybe after 29 years of use I should rebuild the axle and spindles with new bushings, adjustment bolts, axle pivot bolt, and put new bearings in the front wheels.

The lower spindle bushings are worn pretty thin. The pivot bolt has some wear and the pivot bushings are wallowed. I will be replacing all with new from GreenFarmParts.com. I will also be adding wear plates and new axle adjustment bolts.

When I inspected the spindles I found the right spindle has a flat spot on the shaft, only between the areas in contact with the bushings. Am I correct in assuming that this is not a problem since the spindle is not worn where the bushings were. There is nothing in the axle hub between the bushings that could wear a flat spot. In it's 29 year life I have never had the spindle out of the axle hub. Do you think it's been that way all along, from manufacture?

I'm not sure if I should replace the tie rod end ball joints and the steering draft ball joints. I have kept them greased and they pivot freely. What would determine if they need to be replaced?

 

[twocyl001]

I guess it's possible that the worn bushing allowed the spindle to contact the inside of the axle, but with new bushings it should be fine. To check for wear in the linkage just rock the steering wheel back and forth and look for movement anywhere. I just did the same repair to my 332. It took all of the bushings in the axle, new wear plates, new PS cylinder and one tie rod end to make it like new again. Good for another 2800 hours!

 

[knottyrope]

flat spot might be to allow grease flow and keep some in there

 

[jerry_s]

I was able to drive out all four spindle bushings with a brass drift, but I can't budge the axle pivot bushings. With the spacers between the two bushings there isn't much of a lip to drive the drift against. Any suggestions other than taking it to a machine shop to have them pressed out?

 

[greenmotorman101]

Use a chisel about 1/2 " wide Use it just like you would normally use a punch or drift. Don't worry about tearing up the bushing. But don't damage the axle. Maybe the chisel will get a better impact on it and knock it loose.

Or you could try to use a socket or piece of pipe to push with. But then you would have to push both bushing thru from one side and that might not work

Or you could cut a slot in the bushing with a hacksaw and collapse the bushing in on itself. Once the slot has been cut, it should be easy to use the punch or chisel to push the bushing out.

Max.

 

[coalminer16]

I have two sets of drivers similar to "Neiko Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set" if googled which is very small size all the way up to around 3 inches. Has saved my rear more then once for different bushings, races, seals with JD and VW. But in a pince-a socket should work of some sort. I used the punch set I have to get the bushings out. Good time to add a grease zerk to the pivot.

 

[david_a_calkins]

Jerry s if you heat up the bushing as hot as you can get it ,and let cool down it should fall out .David

 

[jerry_s]

Well, I finally got the pivot bushings out by rigging a socket larger than the bushing on one side, a socket same size as bushing on other side, a 10" piece of all-thread, some washers, and a nut on each end. By tightening the nuts it worked like a press to break the bushings free, moving both bushings and spacers to one side. Once loosened, I was able to drive them out with the drift.

Travis, I do plan to add a grease zerk to the axle pivot. When my ordered parts arrive, I plan to have a friend with a Drill Press drill a small channel in the pivot bolt and add a zerk to the bolt head.

Now, If only I could get my front wheel bearings out. Tried the brass drift, then a large steel punch. No go! I can't use my makeshift hand press because the bearings have a flange over the hub edge so they have to be pushed from the inside. Would heat work on the bearings or is cutting them out the best option?

 

[coalminer16]

If you are replacing the bearings-just drive them out with a punch from the inside. Or-remove the retaining ring and use one to drive the other out.