Ford 1910 4wd not working

[Vafafa49]

Hoping someone can help with my 4wd issue on my compact tractor. I did hear a loud pop when the 4wd quit working.

I had the tractor off the ground today and if I turn one front wheel the opposite wheel does not turn. I took the left front tire off and the left front drop axle apart and everything on the left side seems ok.

I know there's a coupler on the driveshaft but have not gotten that far into it. Has anyone else experienced this and what would be the likely cause?

Thanks for your help

 

[chander]

The coupler and shaft splines are a common failure on these tractors. With the front axle raised, put the tractor into 4wd. At that point the other tire turns opposite direction of what you are turning.

If the opposite tire doesn't move, it is likely the problem is in the shaft or the 4wd drop box. Usually there will be some noise during this to help you narrow your seach.

 

[Vafafa49]

I tried that with tractor in 4wd and also transmission in gear. Only one front tire turns, the wheel on opposite side doesn't move at all. Both fronts turn if you try on either wheel. The one on right side makes a little noise when turning....could the axle be broken?

 

[chander]

It is not common for the shaft to break, normally it is the coupler or splines on the shaft are wore out. They will intermittently hold and then release. There will be some noise as the pinion spins the damaged coupler or shaft.

I have not seen a pinion shaft break, do you have AG tires with a loader ?

When you turn the front tires can you have someone listen at the drop box for any signs of gear movement there ?

Does your 4wd shifter feel like it is engaging and disengage when you move it ?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

It is not common for the shaft to break, normally it is the coupler or splines on the shaft are wore out. They will intermittently hold and then release. There will be some noise as the pinion spins the damaged coupler or shaft.

I have not seen a pinion shaft break, do you have AG tires with a loader ?

When you turn the front tires can you have someone listen at the drop box for any signs of gear movement there ?

Does your 4wd shifter feel like it is engaging and disengage when you move it ?

Yes, but if he has it in gear and jacked up in front...one wheel don't make the other turn...

 

[Vafafa49]

I tried both in gear and in neutral with same results. Only one wheel turns

 

[chander]

With a open differential, if you hold the pinion, the opposite tire turns backwards. Just trying to narrow down where the damage is located to save some extra work.

 

[Vafafa49]

Ok, I wasn't understanding you at first. How do I hold the pinion?

 

[Vafafa49]

Also, with all 4 wheels off the ground in 4wd if I turn a rear wheel nothing moves or turns as far as the front wheels. Shouldn't at least 1 front wheelturn when I spin a rear wheel?

 

[Vafafa49]

It is not common for the shaft to break, normally it is the coupler or splines on the shaft are wore out. They will intermittently hold and then release. There will be some noise as the pinion spins the damaged coupler or shaft.

I have not seen a pinion shaft break, do you have AG tires with a loader ?

When you turn the front tires can you have someone listen at the drop box for any signs of gear movement there ?

Does your 4wd shifter feel like it is engaging and disengage when you move it ?

Yes, it has AG tires and a loader. When I shift into 4wd the lever feels right.

 

[chander]

With the tractor in 4wd, that will hold the pinion from spinning. That is only if the 4wd is engaging the transmission properly.

If you are not hearing any grinding noise while rotating the tires, I would suspect the 4wd is not engaging at the transmission.

You can remove the 4wd drop box from the transmission and inspect the driveshaft, couplers and gears. If you remove the two bolts and remove the two studs (not just the nuts) you can lower the gear box. If your loader bracket is close to the driveshaft tube, this will not work. You will then have to drop the front axle.

 

[rScotty]

The first thing you need to do is check that the front driveshaft from transmission to front axle is intact. Pull the driveshaft cover back - most driveshaft covers telescope or have some way to check the shaft inside. So look inside the cover and see if you've busted either the front or rear U joints or splined couplings. The driveshaft is the most common place to break.
The second most common place for 4wd to go wroing is back at the gearbox with whatever kind of mechanism you have on or in the gearbox that engages the 4wd gear. For that you will need an exploded view of the gear box. I don't know what a "dropbox" is.
The front axle itself is less likely to break. They'll leak, and anything will break if it loses its oil.... but if the front axle had oil in it I'd look at the driveshaft or 4wd shifter for the problem.
Almost all these compact tractors are built with similar 4wds.

 

[chander]

The first thing you need to do is check that the front driveshaft from transmission to front axle is intact. Pull the driveshaft cover back - most driveshaft covers telescope or have some way to check the shaft inside. So look inside the cover and see if you've busted either the front or rear U joints or splined couplings. The driveshaft is the most common place to break.
The second most common place for 4wd to go wroing is back at the gearbox with whatever kind of mechanism you have on or in the gearbox that engages the 4wd gear. For that you will need an exploded view of the gear box. I don't know what a "dropbox" is.
The front axle itself is less likely to break. They'll leak, and anything will break if it loses its oil.... but if the front axle had oil in it I'd look at the driveshaft or 4wd shifter for the problem.
Almost all these compact tractors are built with similar 4wds.

Unfortunately on the 10 series tractors the front driveshaft cover is a solid tube. The only way to inspect that driveshaft is to remove the gearbox or front axle.

The term I am using "dropbox" is the gearbox that powers the 4wd driveshaft. On these tractors this gearbox hangs under the main transmission.

 

[Vafafa49]

Ok, I will let everyone know what I find when I get back after the issue. I may not get back to it for a couple weeks but I will post what I find in hopes it helps someone else who runs into the same troubles. I really appreciate everyone who gave advice

 

[Vafafa49]

Ok, I have an update. Today I drilled an inspection window in the driveshaft cover (about 1/2 inch diameter) with all 4 wheels off ground and tractor running in 4wd driveshaft turns well and has power from transmission. Right front wheel kinda turns but you can stop the rotation easily. I'm thinking it must be the splined coupler at driveshaft to front axle? To cover the small hole I drilled into driveshaft cover I used a piece of rubber and a hose clamp. Not sure why the factory didn't do that so anyone servicing could view the driveshaft????