Ford 1700 front axel porblem. HELP!!

[SKB]

this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off. So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

 

[JC-jetro]

this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off. So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

Look at the link below as they have the hub for $99. Is your rig 4 wheel drive or two wheel drive?. Do you have power steering ? Front loader can put a lot of force on 2 WD front axle and components. They also have the spindle for $145. Any pics of the damaged parts?

JC,

Ford, 1700, FRONT-AXLE-2-WHEEL-DRIVE, Sub-Component, FRONT HUB, SBA330460170 at Wengers Of Myerstown

Ford, 1700, FRONT-AXLE-2-WHEEL-DRIVE, Sub-Component, SPINDLE - R.H., SBA330310790 at Wengers Of Myerstown

 

[SKB]

no sorry! its a 1700 4x4 with factory loader with manual steering. thats why im kinda baffled, it should be able to handle that extra weight?? thanks tho. let me know if you have any other ideas
thanks

 

[JC-jetro]

no sorry! its a 1700 4x4 with factory loader with manual steering. thats why im kinda baffled, it should be able to handle that extra weight?? thanks tho. let me know if you have any other ideas
thanks

I checked with Wenger and found nothing for 4WD axle and components. Pictures would be helpful. It'll be hard to find the components. Might consider to make it a 2 wd is that is all available when it comes to parts. FDo you have SBA part #s that you were pricing from NH?

JC,

 

[JLWjr]

Messick's has parts diagrams. You might check with them. They are not a low cost source.

Messick's | Dealer for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet and More | Online Parts, Sales & Service.

 

[SKB]

just got it made at a machine shop and hardend. hopefully this will work?
ill keep ya posted

 

[Wrenchmaster]

Who made your axle for your 1700, I need 1 made also and how much did it cost. Thanks

 

[The machinist]

How's it going,I might be a lttle late but I thought I'd add my two cents.I feel your pain,my wife bought me a 1700 4x4 with a factory loader about 10 years ago and the first week I had it I was putting new gravel down on my driveway and had just scooped a bucket of gravel the right front wheel fell off.I just about s*** myself.I'm a machinist and figured I'd just make another but after alot of research realized that Ford issued a service bulletin about this.Problem was or is the shaft diameter is too small so they increased it by 5mm(.200").I live on a hill and the thought of driving down to the barn with a bucket full of whatever and the wheel coming off because of 5mm was too much so I replace that side($1600 from NH) and the next year I replaced the other side($1600 from NH)Ouch.But I figured I'd spend that money if I had a Harley or a hot rod but I don't and feel alot better about driving around with a load of whatever.BTW how's the hydraulics in those prarie winters(I'm originally from wpg).Good luck to you.

 

[pietrof]

this spring i bought a 1980 something Ford 1700 tractor with 1290 hrs. Came with FEL, 3point farmking mower and tiller (5'). This thing worked great for the first 6 hours. Cut grass in no time flat!! then my front left tire just fell off. WTF?? found out the outer hub axel had broke. Went to the local dealer to geat parts, but they could only get me the latest updated parts, which would cost around $3000 to fix 1 side only. Wow, i only paid $5000 for the tractor. So i took it to a machinest friend of mine to fix it(he's been doing this stuff for about 30 year). He thought he had done a fantastic job and said it would last a long time and was only $250 to have it fixed. It worked great and even though its a heavy built tractor i thought i should take it easy on it. Well the next 20 hours, again the tractor worked flawlessly. THen BAM! the f**king hub axel breaks again and the tire falls off. So now WTF??? anybody else have this issue, if so howd you fix it? im not gonna spend $3000+ to fix it. Any idea what could be causing it? just spoke with my buddy again and was totally shocked!!! he's gonna try and build me a new piece for it.
I guess Ford knew there was a problem and thats why the updated version is $3000 - it requires new outer housing, bearings, gear, and hub axel.
Any info anybody has would be great!! Its a great tractor, just need to fix her up right.
thanks

This happened to me many years ago. I bit the bullet and paid the $3000 for both side, but I only fixed the side that was broken. The kit has numerous parts including new wheel Hub which has a larger diameter, new seals, bearings etc. New internal gears and gear shaft, etc.. Thats why it was expensive. The tractor blew a rod bearing a year ago and scored the crank so their it sits. I never replaced the other hub so I have a brand new upgrade kit if anyone is interested. You can view it here http://www.btstream.com/ford1700axle/.

I would pull the old hub on the older side and sell it to someone but it would just being doing you disservice as it will probably break again especially if you have a loader. If your interested in the kit I'll sell it for less than half of what I paid $700.00.

 

[billtaylor01]

hi guys, I had the same thing happen to me a couple days ago, was wondering if anyone knew where there was a salvaged part. Also was thinking of getting one machined has anyone had any luck with that?

 

[michael.white]

My dad had his welded at the NH dealer a couple of years ago. Still working good and a LOT cheaper than new.

 

[giwizz]

Can you tell me where in NH. you purchased your parts from?

 

[square1]

I think the "NH" in Micheal White's post stands for "New Holland". I've heard of others having good success with having them welded. Needs to be a deep weld / fill, not just a shallow vee and a couple passes from what I understand.

 

[giwizz]

I think the "NH" in Micheal White's post stands for "New Holland". I've heard of others having good success with having them welded. Needs to be a deep weld / fill, not just a shallow vee and a couple passes from what I understand.

I don't mind paying $1,500 since I've had the shaft first welded with a deep groove then even bored out and another hardened shaft pressed in place. I use my loader quite frequently so that's my dilemma. If I could purchase the entire update kit for $1,500 I'd be all over that!
Thanks for your help!

 

[giwizz]

This happened to me many years ago. I bit the bullet and paid the $3000 for both side, but I only fixed the side that was broken. The kit has numerous parts including new wheel Hub which has a larger diameter, new seals, bearings etc. New internal gears and gear shaft, etc.. Thats why it was expensive. The tractor blew a rod bearing a year ago and scored the crank so their it sits. I never replaced the other hub so I have a brand new upgrade kit if anyone is interested. You can view it here Ford 1700 Front Axle Hub Parts for Sale SOLD!.

I would pull the old hub on the older side and sell it to someone but it would just being doing you disservice as it will probably break again especially if you have a loader. If your interested in the kit I'll sell it for less than half of what I paid $700.00.

Hello,
So you still have the update kit available?
Thanks,
Jay

 

[BrokenAxle]

Hello,
So you still have the update kit available?
Thanks,
Jay

New axles are available here: Home

 

[Vion Precision Machining]

Hi,

We have been making these axles for at least 5 years now, and have have manufactured at least 30 of these axles, out of them 8 were for the 19 tooth (older, smaller diameter) 1700 model. Even the larger "upgraded" 22 tooth 1700 model has it's weaknesses, as we have made replacement axles from those as well. We started making them when we broke an axle on our 1500 ford. There was an upgraded housing, and axle for our tractor. The price was astronomical for the entire conversion, so we custom made the first set of replacement axles. There is a undercut with a small radius on all of these axles where they fracture. The bearings have a radius on the corners, making the undercut unnecessary. We have redesigned our axles with smooth contours, and the largest radi possible to eliminate stress risers that can lead to fracture. We are also using a 125lb billet 4140 Chromoly Steel blank, which is Hardened and Tempered, to ensure the strongest axle possible. We have had them had them on our tractor through some steep rough roads, with a loaded bucket. I have not yet had a single complaint about any of our axles. Please contact me for info / pricing, and let me know if you have any other questions. Here is a link to our you tube video of a 1500 axle getting it's splines milled:

FORD 15 TRACTOR AXLE MACHINING - YouTube

-Lonnie Vion-

Vion Precision Machining & Engineering
vionpme@gmail.com
(661)724-1186

 

[JC-jetro]

Folks,

I can not do the 3rd party hosting unless I pay quite a bot and that is not sustainable. However, you can right click and open the image in the new tab, I have made those pictures public.

Jc,