Ford 850 has welded front axle pin-what now?

[fordcomanche]

My 1955 Ford 850 had its front axle pin welded in by prev owner.
I bought the tractor in 1980 and wasnt too concerned about it back then, but now 45 years later, that center bushing needs replacing badly!

I attached some pics, the axle pin looks to be welded on both front and rear side of the axle support. I cannot tell if this was originally a threaded pin or smooth pin.
The tractor is blocked and secured and I have the front axle and the axle frame support swung out from tractor.

Trying to decide what to try first-
-Should I try to grind out enough of the weld off front and back to break the pin loose
-or try to cut thru the pin on both sides of the axle/bushing so that I can fully remove the support frame from the axle.
Has anyone had to deal with this before? Even once I get this out and replace the bushing, not sure how to secure the new pin in place. I would hate to have to weld it in again.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions

 

[AntiqueIron]

My 1955 Ford 850 had its front axle pin welded in by prev owner.
I bought the tractor in 1980 and wasnt too concerned about it back then, but now 45 years later, that center bushing needs replacing badly!

I attached some pics, the axle pin looks to be welded on both front and rear side of the axle support. I cannot tell if this was originally a threaded pin or smooth pin.
The tractor is blocked and secured and I have the front axle and the axle frame support swung out from tractor.

Trying to decide what to try first-
-Should I try to grind out enough of the weld off front and back to break the pin loose
-or try to cut thru the pin on both sides of the axle/bushing so that I can fully remove the support frame from the axle.
Has anyone had to deal with this before? Even once I get this out and replace the bushing, not sure how to secure the new pin in place. I would hate to have to weld it in again.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions

Considering how common these tractors are, I’d price out a good used bolster before making a decision.

 

[John0829]

Have to agree that finding another bolster will be a lot easier/better than trying to fix this one.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I'm with that group. The pin and bore are probably both junk. That's why it was welded way back then. Gotta be a used one somewhere.

 

[fordcomanche]

Guys,
Thanks for the quick replies and advice on this, I will move forward on finding a used replacement, hopefully I can find one locally.
Since I cannot tell (due to the welding) whether the original was a threaded-in axle pin or a smooth axle pin, which type of axle support/bolster should I look for-
Is threaded pin or smooth pin style better/stronger/preferred over the other?

Also I am hoping that I can keep the original axle itself and just install a new bushing, does that make a difference on whether I would use need to use a threaded or smooth pin?

Thanks again,
DB

 

[John0829]

Don't really think one is better than the other but for the record my 850 has the threaded pin.

 

[fordcomanche]

Thanks John,

I've started making some calls locally searching for the axle support with threaded pin. Hoping to hear something back tomorrow.

Tonight I also just came across a sentence in the old ford 800 repair manual that says "Effective on serial number 41889, the front axle pin used on General Purpose tractors was replaced with a threaded axle pin."

So I guess this tractor may have also originally come with the threaded pin since my serial number is above 41k. I've got the radiator off and out of the way, now just have to start cutting thru that old axle pin..dreading that..

 

[John0829]

Since you are planning on replacing the bolster anyway just take a torch to it. Although someone good with a torch should be able to cut it out without any damage to either the old bolster or axle