Driveshaft rattles

Tact · Mar 29, 2005

Just took my RTV back to the dealer for slack in the front driveshaft which makes an extemely loud rattle when idling. When put in 4 wheel drive it stops. I know of one other forum member who had nightmares with his dealer attempting to fix this problem with no success. He replaced both yokes, driveshaft, carrier bearings, and now thinks that they will have to go into the tranny. I was just curious if anyone else was having this problem and what you did for the cure.

bczoom · Mar 29, 2005

Let's hope yours is an easy fix. Cypress is having a real tough time and hope it gets resolved.

BOTAMAN · Mar 30, 2005

We've had to replace a couple of the yoke assemblies on the output shaft out of the transmission and that took care of the problem our customers were having, but we did have a customer who waited too long to tell us about the problem he was having, had to replace tranmission output shaft to front drive shaft.

Tact · Mar 30, 2005

I appreciate the info. I'll pass it on to the dealer if they can't figure it out. I hope it won't be any more than that. Thanks.

budd4 · Apr 2, 2005

Yes, my RTV has the rattle. It is comming from the front drive shaft at the yoke/U-joint at the transmission. I contacted Kubota and they are aware of the problem and have solved it by changing the tolerance in that yoke/u-joint. The part number is the same. Until my new part arrives, I simply waped electrical tape between the shaft and the yoke/u-joint.

I later found this information on the Kubota web site under F.A.Q.

Bud

Tact · Apr 2, 2005

I recieved my RTV yesterday and so far the clattering and rattles are gone for the most part. The mechanic said that it will probably return and the only true fix is to drill a hole at the base of the yoke, tap it, and screw in a bolt just tight enough to put pressure on the shaft (set screw). The yoke is a slip-on type and it has room to move and vibrate as it wears. He said Kubota will not let them do this at the dealership, maybe because it weakens the yoke, I don't understand why. If the rattles do return I guess I'll try this fix but only after the warranty is out. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I'll post this on other sites, maybe this info. will be useful to others.

Tact · Apr 5, 2005

OK-- My rattles reappeared. I just got off the phone with my dealer who just spoke with Kubota. They said that in about 1 month Kubota is coming out with a completely new yoke design that will take care of these issues with the driveshaft problems. We'll see if that developes. I'll keep posting as soon as info. is recieved. I'll also post on other forums for others.

DelfinoTX · Apr 8, 2005

I just got confirmation from my local Kubota dealer that there is indeed a new design for the yoke/u-joint assemby coming out. They have backordered the part and will notify me when it comes in. I'll try to get the part number/s and post it here.

bczoom · Apr 8, 2005

The part number for the u-joint assembly (K7561-16820)

Scroll down to the "4WD Shaft Rattles" on this page for the Kubota info on this issue.

DelfinoTX · Apr 8, 2005

BC, this would be for the assembly machined to tighter tolerances no? My local dealer says Kubota is redesigning the assembly. It may have a new part number. I'll find out for sure though.

bczoom · Apr 8, 2005

I don't have a part number for the new thing they're offering. Let us know once you get it.

Brian

whoodle · Apr 9, 2005

I've got a rattle that I thought was the front floor. I didin't look too carefully. Are all the rtvs needing them?

Tact · Apr 9, 2005

I've been trying to find out if it's a problem in a certain range of serial #'s.

Whoodle,

You'll know if it's your driveshaft by putting your foot on the shaft and apply pressure while it's in neutral. If the noise and vibration stops it's you shaft. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DelfinoTX · Apr 10, 2005

Here is my temporary solution for the drive shaft rattle on my RTV. Shoved two lenghts of heavy-wall vinyl tubing on each side of the u/joint cross. The tubes don't even come close to touching the u-joint seals. Works great! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Can hardly wait to see what new design Kubota comes up with to fix this problem. Oh, the tubing is 1/2 inch ID.

whoodle · Apr 13, 2005

I checked my machine today and the yoke that goes over the splined output shaft certainly wiggles a fair amount. It doesn't seem to rattle, but I only have about 35 hours. The deep snow this winter really put a damper on my use. The tolerances on my other machines with such splines are certainly tighter. Should I just plan on replacement? I can't really see how those pipes are alieviating the problem.

Tact · Apr 13, 2005

I'd get ready to make the trip. I believe Kubota will come out with a product recall. Too many people are starting to have this problem. I may be wrong but I believe it will come to that. Just my $.02 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bczoom · Apr 14, 2005

I checked mine the other day. The rear U joint is somwwhat loose where it connects to the tranny. A replacement has been ordered (I'm going off warrantee within 30 days).

Although I don't know/think it would really be an issue over the long haul, I did apply pressure to the shaft and there was "noise" so I guess it doesn't hurt to replace.

BTW, has anyone replaced this themselves? If so, what did you do to get the driveshaft off?

Brian

lloyd123 · Apr 15, 2005

Brian,

I looked in the Service Manual and there isn't any procedure listed to remove the U joint per se.

I did find a procedure to remove the shaft in order to work on the front differential - I've included an attachment - maybe this is the way to remove.

bczoom · Apr 18, 2005

Thanks George,

That approach looks like it should do it. I need to replace the rear universal/yoke. It looks like I just need to reverse the direction of sliding in step 2.

Brian