Front Wheel Fell Off 3550

[jb1390]

830 hours - 4 years old. I noticed gear oil on my front tire after parking overnight. Drove it a few hundred feet, and parked again, and it started dripping much faster. I had recently read the thread on a 4025 wheel coming off entirely, so I lifted the front end to check it out before going any further. I was able to disassemble and fix temporarily in the field with new bolts.

The three bolts inside had sheared. The dealer had never heard of the issue, but the Mahindra rep knew right away. There is a service bulletin on this - though Mahindra says it is a fix-as-fail issue. They will cover the one side under warranty, but won't touch the other side until it breaks. I asked the dealer to give me pricing for the upgrade parts to do both sides. It's only a matter of time, and likely once I'm out of warranty.

I will readily admit that I am not the easiest on machinery - though this does seem to be a funky design.

 

[RNeumann]

Good Catch! It’s a bummer for sure. Glad Mahindra is, at least, covering the one side- of course we wish it was both!

 

[darmstrong2319]

Should be a recall thing instead of fix as fail.

 

[jb1390]

Should be a recall thing instead of fix as fail.

I agree. Or at a minimum, do both sides for machines that have shown an issue.

But I don't think this approach is unique to this manufacturer. I致e had similar experiences with cars in the past.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I agree. Or at a minimum, do both sides for machines that have shown an issue.

But I don't think this approach is unique to this manufacturer. I致e had similar experiences with cars in the past.

Consider having a lawyer notify them that it is a known safety issue to you and/or others in the vicinity, that they are neglecting.

 

[jeff9366]

Was it an issue of the nuts loosening on the bolts, so the bolts were stressed, or something else?

 

[jb1390]

Consider having a lawyer notify them that it is a known safety issue to you and/or others in the vicinity, that they are neglecting.

I agree that it's a safety issue, and I will be fixing the other side. I'm waiting for costs from the dealer, if it's not too much money to just do the other side, it's not worth the fight. If Mahindra overvalues the parts, then we'll go from there.

 

[jb1390]

Was it an issue of the nuts loosening on the bolts, so the bolts were stressed, or something else?

The spindle is tapped for 3 bolts, that hold on a large machined washer, which holds the spindle in the housing. There is a thin plate with locking tabs that is installed under the bolts, with the tabs bent over the heads, so there is no chance that they came loose. The tabs were still intact and holding the heads from rotating when I took it apart.

I think it might partly be an issue of insufficient shimming that does not allow the bolt to seat fully. Then fatigue sets in. A larger, single bolt will be more resilient - hence why Mahindra changed their design.

It's more complicated than just popping it open and tightening bolts though.

 

[chero82]

Parts for the original 3 bolt design are about $40

 

[Deleted member 314313]

Parts for the original 3 bolt design are about $40

Really! What part numbers? And from whom are they available? Because my dealer claims the three bolt hub spindle assembly are no longer available.

 

[Deleted member 314313]

The spindle is tapped for 3 bolts, that hold on a large machined washer, which holds the spindle in the housing. There is a thin plate with locking tabs that is installed under the bolts, with the tabs bent over the heads, so there is no chance that they came loose. The tabs were still intact and holding the heads from rotating when I took it apart.

I think it might partly be an issue of insufficient shimming that does not allow the bolt to seat fully. Then fatigue sets in. A larger, single bolt will be more resilient - hence why Mahindra changed their design.

It's more complicated than just popping it open and tightening bolts though.

Month and half ago my front tire fall off, 2016 3550 PST MFWD 129hrs. luckily not on a hillside, due to dealer neglecting to torque lug bolts at 50hr service and even later at 89hrs when it was in the shop for a ECU-ECM hiccup. Long story short. Mahindra corp. warranty Houston TX approved repair of stripped spindle hub and wallowed rim. However, approx. 2 and half weeks after dealer picked up tractor, I called and the dealer claims Mahindra sent the wrong parts. After inquiry I learn from the dealer, when my tractor was built it fitted with the old three bolt hub spindle retainer design and Mahindra sent the new updated one (1) large single retaining hub spindle design parts. Additionally, according to the dealer, the three (3) bolt design parts aren't available anymore (Can't get em). Not long after that, Mahindra Service Rep calls and informs, the dealer parts person ordered the right parts, however Mahindra parts person put the wrong parts in the box! Hmm. I asked the service rep, so is my tractor fitted with the new one (1) bolt hub spindle retaining design or the old three (3)? He tells me, according to my VIN, Mahindra production order indicates your tractor was produced after the design change, the change took place in the 1200 VIN number range and yours is in over 1400. So your tractor has the new updated one (1) bolt spindle retainer design. Hmm. Called dealer. Dealer swears up and down my tractor has the three (3) Dealer says they are not going to update the other side to match the damaged side. Hmmm. One old side, one new. Devalue time on my new tractor. Also, was wondering, why would Mahindra put an old outdated, obsolete, unsupported hub spindle design on my brand-new tractor and then tell me, my new tractor was filled with the new updated hub spindle design.
Two weeks ago I sent Mahindra warranty person an email. Explained the situation. Asked for a response. Not a word from them. Called multiple times, left messages. No return calls. The tractor has been at the dealer about a month. Going to see the Dealer in the morning to see for myself which hub spindle I have been sold.

 

[Deleted member 314313]

Should be a recall thing instead of fix as fail.

Got that right!! Fail could be the end of whoever is on the tractor.

 

[Navasot]

Month and half ago my front tire fall off, 2016 3550 PST MFWD 129hrs. luckily not on a hillside, due to dealer neglecting to torque lug bolts at 50hr service and even later at 89hrs when it was in the shop for a ECU-ECM hiccup. Long story short. Mahindra corp. warranty Houston TX approved repair of stripped spindle hub and wallowed rim. However, approx. 2 and half weeks after dealer picked up tractor, I called and the dealer claims Mahindra sent the wrong parts. After inquiry I learn from the dealer, when my tractor was built it fitted with the old three bolt hub spindle retainer design and Mahindra sent the new updated one (1) large single retaining hub spindle design parts. Additionally, according to the dealer, the three (3) bolt design parts aren't available anymore (Can't get em). Not long after that, Mahindra Service Rep calls and informs, the dealer parts person ordered the right parts, however Mahindra parts person put the wrong parts in the box! Hmm. I asked the service rep, so is my tractor fitted with the new one (1) bolt hub spindle retaining design or the old three (3)? He tells me, according to my VIN, Mahindra production order indicates your tractor was produced after the design change, the change took place in the 1200 VIN number range and yours is in over 1400. So your tractor has the new updated one (1) bolt spindle retainer design. Hmm. Called dealer. Dealer swears up and down my tractor has the three (3) Dealer says they are not going to update the other side to match the damaged side. Hmmm. One old side, one new. Devalue time on my new tractor. Also, was wondering, why would Mahindra put an old outdated, obsolete, unsupported hub spindle design on my brand-new tractor and then tell me, my new tractor was filled with the new updated hub spindle design.
Two weeks ago I sent Mahindra warranty person an email. Explained the situation. Asked for a response. Not a word from them. Called multiple times, left messages. No return calls. The tractor has been at the dealer about a month. Going to see the Dealer in the morning to see for myself which hub spindle I have been sold.

You wont get anything out of a manufacture that's what the dealer is for to deal with general public

 

[chero82]

I ordered from my local dealer. About 8 months ago.
3 bolts, shims, o rings and gear oil. My stubb shaft was okay to reuse. Broken bolts came out of the shaft easily.
Check online at new England tractor, you can look at the parts diagram on their site

 

[chero82]

There are several different shims available. Mine were trashed, ordered several of each. Keep changing the shim stack until end play is right

 

[Deleted member 314313]

You wont get anything out of a manufacture that's what the dealer is for to deal with general public

Woke up this morn. Got a sip of joe. Gearing up to head down to dealer. Computer screams "You got mail" Checked mail, and what do I see..... Email from Mahindra warranty/customer satisfaction office. This is what I see.

Dear xxxxx x xxxx
I regret the delay on replying to you, and I do apologize the mis-understanding regarding the following:

Your tractor model 3550PST, Serial # XXXXX will have the Hub-Spindle replaced on both side, Left and Right. I already expedited the parts and they are arriving at the dealership’s location today 8-20-2018. I had been working with our Technical Support regarding the access for you to see all the campaigns, bulletins, etc. and was informed the following:

Mahindra sell the equipment to the dealer and the dealer then sells it to the customer. The warranty and service support should be managed by the dealer.

The access to technical information to customer’s is not available at this time, with the exception of the Operator Manual, and Basic parts catalog. Thank you and have a nice day!

Sincerely,
xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

Don't really like anyone withholding tech info regarding my tractor. It's mine and I should have access to all tech info.
Do like that they are going to replace the obsolete, outdated unsupported, unsafe hub spindles on both sides.
Really like this tractor. It's a tough work horse.

 

[Deleted member 314313]

54 days and counting.

 

[toddintexas]

Curious to hear whatever happened on this and how long it took to get it fixed. The front left wheel fell off my 3540 last week and the dealer called today saying it wouldn't be covered under warranty. 22 hours on it!

 

[Deleted member 314313]

Curious to hear whatever happened on this and how long it took to get it fixed. The front left wheel fell off my 3540 last week and the dealer called today saying it wouldn't be covered under warranty. 22 hours on it!

Mahindra replaced the spindles, hub housings and gears on both sides under warranty as they were supposed to be filled with the new single bolt retaining spindle design during production. For some unexplained reason it was fitted with the old three bolt retaining design. I only learned this when the front wheel fell off, stripping the threads on spindle, due to dealer neglecting to torque bolts at 50hr service.
The new spindles and gears are working so far, no leaks and front wheel drive seems tighter or more stiff for some reason. Only have 5 or so hours on the new spindles. This Spring will be the real test. Took a lot longer than normal due to lack of qualified dealership employees. Thank goodness they hired an experienced tractor mechanic to make the required changes.

 

[toddintexas]

Mahindra replaced the spindles, hub housings and gears on both sides under warranty as they were supposed to be filled with the new single bolt retaining spindle design during production. For some unexplained reason it was fitted with the old three bolt retaining design. I only learned this when the front wheel fell off, stripping the threads on spindle, due to dealer neglecting to torque bolts at 50hr service.
The new spindles and gears are working so far, no leaks and front wheel drive seems tighter or more stiff for some reason. Only have 5 or so hours on the new spindles. This Spring will be the real test. Took a lot longer than normal due to lack of qualified dealership employees. Thank goodness they hired an experienced tractor mechanic to make the required changes.

Glad they came through for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed they cover it for me. He said $2600 in parts alone!