Front Wheel Drive Not Working

Bobby boy · Jul 27, 2017

Had seen a couples post from a few years ago that owners had problems with front wheel drive not working and a few suggestions on checking couplings and splines on drive shaft. We have now the same problem with ours after moving 16 yards of pit run and 16 yards of sand gravel mix that was really wet. Have tractor lifted up coupling and splines ok front wheels turn opposite of each other and it doesn't seem to be a gear problem but holding back the driveshaft you can turn the wheels. So before we start tearing apart the front differential wanted to know if others had this problem and what they found was the cause.

Thanks in advance for any help.

winston1 · Jul 27, 2017

Haven't had the problem but do have a thought on it. If one wheel turns the other the opposite direction that indicates differential and wheel gears are working. If in turn you can hold the drive shaft that would indicate to me a broken pinion shaft or sheared pinion teeth.

This is only if you can turn the wheels the same direction while holding the shaft. If you were to hold the shaft the wheels would normally turn in opposite directions. Make sense?

Good test for the front would be to see if you can turn the differential pinion with the wheels on the ground and shifter out of gear. If so, a problem somewhere in the front end.

Bobby boy · Jul 27, 2017

Thanks will try that too, hate to take apart if its not that area. Starting after breakfast and hope to find problem area sure miss not having tractor.