DK45s with no 4WD - mechanical issue

[jfalabella]

I have been through threads about worn/shorted wires and various other quick fixes to this, but I am afraid I have a mechanical issue in the front. When I push the button, all the right things happen. I jacked up the front wheels, pulled the inspection cover back from the front driveshaft, put it in 4WD, watched the shaft spin, and both front wheels did not move. I hear no crunching sounds. I am guessing that the pinion spun. Has anyone else been through this kind of mechanical issue? I have 1400 hours on a 2008. No tire chains have been involved leading up to the problem. I ended up putting chains on AFTER I lost my front drive wheels to get by.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have been through threads about worn/shorted wires and various other quick fixes to this, but I am afraid I have a mechanical issue in the front. When I push the button, all the right things happen. I jacked up the front wheels, pulled the inspection cover back from the front driveshaft, put it in 4WD, watched the shaft spin, and both front wheels did not move. I hear no crunching sounds. I am guessing that the pinion spun. Has anyone else been through this kind of mechanical issue? I have 1400 hours on a 2008. No tire chains have been involved leading up to the problem. I ended up putting chains on AFTER I lost my front drive wheels to get by.

Has it been used on hard surfaces in 4x4?

 

[jfalabella]

Has it been used on hard surfaces in 4x4?

Never on pavement, but pushing snow around on the frozen ground, and driving on hardpacked dirt, for sure and for years. I am guessing that my less than gentle plowing techniques in 4WD without chains might have spun/jerked around the 4WD system causing this failure. Thoughts? I am not tearing into the front end until the spring as I am concerned with not having a tractor at all while we scour the earth for parts (in these trying supply-chain times). I will suffer through another 2WD winter with chains. Just looking for other experiences out there similar to mine to get a feel for the weakest link on point of failure.

 

[LittleBill21]

change the axle fluid, see if its silver, i would think you would hear feel a ripped up pinion

 

[Robin Veerman]

Forgive me for thinking out loud, but is it possible that a faulty solenoid might be the culprit?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Never on pavement, but pushing snow around on the frozen ground, and driving on hardpacked dirt, for sure and for years. I am guessing that my less than gentle plowing techniques in 4WD without chains might have spun/jerked around the 4WD system causing this failure. Thoughts? I am not tearing into the front end until the spring as I am concerned with not having a tractor at all while we scour the earth for parts (in these trying supply-chain times). I will suffer through another 2WD winter with chains. Just looking for other experiences out there similar to mine to get a feel for the weakest link on point of failure.

Lots of times it wears the ring and pinion out. Something has to give when in 4x4 often. You should look in at each wheel and make sure it didnt crunch a bearing, just remove the carnage and press on. If not broke at a wheel, probably ring and pinion. But If it has planetaries I'd fer dang sure take a look see. Some planetaries have a piece that will break and is easy to replace.

 

[jfalabella]

Forgive me for thinking out loud, but is it possible that a faulty solenoid might be the culprit?

Hi Robin,

We checked it. Uses a magnetic-energized plunger sort of thing that is working fine. And the shaft to the front axle is spinning. It is that nothing is happening after that. Grin.

 

[jfalabella]

Lots of times it wears the ring and pinion out. Something has to give when in 4x4 often. You should look in at each wheel and make sure it didnt crunch a bearing, just remove the carnage and press on. If not broke at a wheel, probably ring and pinion. But If it has planetaries I'd fer dang sure take a look see. Some planetaries have a piece that will break and is easy to replace.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into it after I take a look at the gear oil in the axle.

 

[MichiganIron]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into it after I take a look at the gear oil in the axle.

Before you go too far, be sure to check the shaft coupler between the 4wd shaft and the Pinion Shaft. We have seen these couplers back away from the Pinion. Looks like the coupler is still over the pinion shaft, but is no longer splined to the shaft. Simple fix to reset and clip the coupler.

Hope this helps.

 

[XCAT]

hi,
i had a similar issue a while back with lost drive to the front,
check my thread here
EX50 No 4WD suspect hydraulic pump

not sure if thats the correct way to list it but may be the same issue..
cheers