5103 making noise going downhill

[RPW]

I've got a 2008 5103 that makes a horrendous rattling noise when going downhill or whenever the tractor isn't pulling any load. A little bit of history on this machine. I bought this tractor new in 2008 and it's been a great machine but the first winter there was a lot of rain and later below freezing weather. The rubber boot developed a tear and water got into an area and would freeze. I would have to wait until the temperature would get above freezing before I could use the tractor. Replaced boot and no further problem. Following year during routine maintenance I needed to add a bit of hydraulic fluid but had an OOPS moment. Instead of grabbing the container of fresh oil I grabbed one of contaminated oil from another tractor and this had some water in it. Probably only added about a cup or so. I talked to my dealer and he said it most likely wouldn't hurt anything. Well shortly after that I started having issues with the brakes so I drained the hydraulic fluid and changed the filter and pulled the strainer screen. Of course the oil was cream colored and I found a broken hex head screw (small) in the bottom of the case below the strainer screen. All functions of the tractor worked fine so I continued to use the tractor. I changed the oil again after about a month or two. After about a year is about the time I started to hear the rattling noise. I changed oil again and cleaned the strainer. This time I found metallic bits on the screen. I have been changing oil about every 6 months and clean the strainer. Each time I get metal bits on the screen. In narrowing the problem down it appears that if I'm going downhill slowly and hold the differential lock I can eliminate the noise but not completely sure of this. A mechanic friend of mine while hanging off the back of the tractor seems to hear the noise from the right side axle. Hopefully someone can guide me toward a repair solution. My dealer is no longer in business and my nearest on is about 50+ miles from me. I also am fairly handy with tools and have a decent place to work.

 

[beenthere]

What oil have you been using when changing it out?

 

[RPW]

JD equivalent from Shell lately. Early on used J-20A/B (wasn't till later found out it was incorrect for the tractor).

 

[Kubota 2350]

Check your wheel lugs, they might be loose.

 

[RPW]

Already have. They already have the marks on them whatever they're called.

 

[RPW]

Bumping this up hopefully someone can help. I would like to get this taken care of over the winter as I don't use the tractor as much.
Thanks.

 

[JD5210]

Not going to be much help, but you may want to go to selectmanuals.com and purchase and download the tech manual for $29.95.

 

[jd110]

I am wondering if you could have a problem with the park pawl. It is on the right side just in front of the rear axle. There is a spring that holds the pawl in the disengaged position. If the spring broke, it would allow the park pawl to try to engage the park gear in certain positions. There are 2 ways to inspect the park pawl. First, you can drain the transmission oil and then remove the drop box for the mfwd. If there are any broken parts in park, they usually end up in the mfwd box anyway, so I like to check them this way. The second way is to remove cover from right side of the transmission. Either way, have someone operate the park lever while you watch the park pawl operate. If nothing is obviously wrong, jack up the tractor and spin a wheel over while watching and listening to try and pinpoint the problem. .

 

[RPW]

Thanks, I have the manuals but they don't go into much for troubleshooting. -jd110- tractor isn't a MFWD. But you bring an interesting point. Park works fine. Same amount of force is required since purchase. Thanks.

 

[gfrerichs]

I have a 2007 John Deere 5103 that's making a rattling noise going downhill. It only does it in Range B in all gears. 397 hours serviced regularly and not mistreated. Did you ever find your problem? Any help would be appreciated