Loader Ford 3000 lower radiator nozzle flattened

[jdharris5]

I have a Ford 3000 with front end loader(Ford 771) . When I purchased it a little over a year ago I noticed the radiator was leaking from the lower nozzle. I pulled the radiator and had a new nozzle installed at a radiator shop. It worked ok for a little while until I noticed the same thing was happening. The bottom of the nozzle was flattened. I was able to round it out without replacing and it again worked ok for a little while. The same thing has now happened again. I was using the loader to lift some fire wood and I noticed the radiator was again leaking from the lower nozzle which is flattened on the bottom. There is about 1" between the nozzle and the axle. I suppose the axle must hit the nozzle either when I go over a bump or perhaps lift something heavy. Any suggestions as to what I can do to stop this from happening will be appreciated. Thanks. JD

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Look at what ever stops the axle from moving up too high. it may be missing a rubber bumper or shim or something. if nothing is missing I would make a spacer to stop the axle.

 

[jdharris5]

Look at what ever stops the axle from moving up too high. it may be missing a rubber bumper or shim or something. if nothing is missing I would make a spacer to stop the axle.

Thanks. I'll look at it more closely.

JD

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Pivot pin might be wore out allowing axle to set to high in chassis. Something fairly important is out of wack for sure

 

[RickB]

Pivot pin might be wore out allowing axle to set to high in chassis. Something fairly important is out of wack for sure

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Worn pivot pin/bushing/axle center section/bent radius rods. Or a combination of.

 

[jdharris5]

I pulled the radiator today and the lower nozzle will need to be replace again. I inspected the front end as best I could. The radius rods seem to be ok. The 1.75" hollow pin is intact with some wear where it goes through the axle but the gap seemed to be less than 1/32". The loader is run off of the front pto so the pto shaft runs through the middle of the hollow 1.75" pin.

JD

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

You really need to lift the front axle off the ground to get a good read on what's wore. Watch the axle for movement up and down as you lift the tractor.

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

You really need to lift the front axle off the ground to get a good read on what's wore. Watch the axle for movement up and down as you lift the tractor.

To lift the tractor set a jack under the nose of the tractor so as the axle will be suspended, or use the loader to lift front of the tractor off the ground

 

[jdharris5]

To lift the tractor set a jack under the nose of the tractor so as the axle will be suspended, or use the loader to lift front of the tractor off the ground

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

JD

 

[jdharris5]

To lift the tractor set a jack under the nose of the tractor so as the axle will be suspended, or use the loader to lift front of the tractor off the ground

I used my jack to lift the tractor and examine the movement of the axle where it attaches to the tractor body. As I quickly raised the right wheel the axle seems to move maybe 1/8" at the center attachment. There is some wear at that point.

I was thinking of putting a 3/8" steel plate between the radiator and the radiator mounting holes. This would raise the radiator 3/8" and I would have the plate extend out below the lower radiator nozzle to provide some protection. Does this sound like a reasonable approach.

Thanks.

JD