bx 1500

[mickish]

I have a bx 1500, it started making a humming sort of noise in front axle area when in four wheel drive( only noticed this when i had it in four whhel drive pushing snow) anyway it then started the odd click and the front wheel locked a few time, its ok in two wheel drive but is acting weird in four.Anyone any suggestions whats up or what the **** i have done to my poor wee tractor!!!

 

[Tom_H]

Might be low on SUDT. Just above your rear PTO is the dipstick to check the level as well as the port to add more.

 

[bp fick]

Front wear happens. Checking the fluid level in the transmission, as the poster above mentioned is fine, but won't help this!!!

First, I'd check and/or change the fluid in the front axle. That is a separate reservoir and should have been changed every 100 hours or so. While sudt is OK for that front axle, a good gear lube fluid such as semi-synthetic 75w-90 would be better. 2 quarts of gear lube would only set you back $10.

That said, once things start clicking, clunking, and crunching, it is beyond a fluid issue. It's time to locate a good shop manual for the front axle and do some serious disassembling and inspecting for mechanical failures. Waiting usually just causes even more destruction. Track down the specific location of the noise.

Front drive wear failures are typically caused by poor maintenance, driving in 4WD on hard pavement, heavy FEL work, and good old fashioned father time.

 

[radioman]

perhaps it is low on oil. Did you check the orange dipstick yet on the front axel?
Or maybe its the pillow block bearing needs to be replaced that is in the middle of the tractor for front wheel drive shaft. I don't see a zerk on mine so it may not be servicable so a replacement may be in order. Good luck , let us know how you make out on that.

 

[mickish]

Thanks guys for all your suggestion, will keep u posted.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Just raise it up and spin the wheels. It will be obvious if you have a problem.

 

[Volfandt]

mickish, before you get too deep, do as rdsaustintx suggests and jack it up, put it on stands, all 4 wheels then run it in 4wd and observe. Of course make sure the fluid is at the correct level....
Theres been afew BX owners that have reported similar sounds and it ended up being the plastic sleeve that covers the front U-joint had been dislodged and was rubbing the driveshaft. There have been some others that have had either a wire harness or some other part to come loose & rub the front driveshaft. There was another that had the center carrier bearing bracket to somehow loosen up and wallow out which caused the front drivesshaft to shift and rub and waste the bearing.
Check and discount all the "easy" fixes before you get too deep. As BP Fick said, if the trouble is in the front axle, the damage has already been done and disassemble/repair will be needed.
Good luck
Dave

 

[dex3361]

I think I would go the more cautious route and jack it up and disengage the 4WD and spin the front wheels by hand. You could feel for issues. If you have a front wheel lock up under power it could split a housing or break a shaft. It could be something as simple as something getting wedged in the bevel gears. I have attached a parts diag. for all to review and it may aid in your troubleshooting.

 

[amg280]

Front wear happens. Checking the fluid level in the transmission, as the poster above mentioned is fine, but won't help this!!!

First, I'd check and/or change the fluid in the front axle. That is a separate reservoir and should have been changed every 100 hours or so. While sudt is OK for that front axle, a good gear lube fluid such as semi-synthetic 75w-90 would be better. 2 quarts of gear lube would only set you back $10.

That said, once things start clicking, clunking, and crunching, it is beyond a fluid issue. It's time to locate a good shop manual for the front axle and do some serious disassembling and inspecting for mechanical failures. Waiting usually just causes even more destruction. Track down the specific location of the noise.

Front drive wear failures are typically caused by poor maintenance, driving in 4WD on hard pavement, heavy FEL work, and good old fashioned father time.

+1. The fact that you said it has locked the wheel a few times tells me at MINIMUM your going to have to take the case apart. From there, its anyones guess.