Lk3054 tractor splitting questions

[Johnwayne07]

I have a 1996 lk3054 and the clutch was slipping and had a rear main seal leak. so I split the tractor and found that clutch was toast and when i pulled the rear main seal out two pieces of metal fell out. after researching I found that they are thrust washers, I never had any knocking noise or anything before splitting the tractor now my question is can I pull the oil pan and #3 main cap and install new ones or am I in for tearing the engine down? View attachment IMG_20170808_172906098.jpg

 

[Johnwayne07]

Also does anyone know what proper thrust is?

 

[xcgreene]

In the LK30, the Flywheel end main bearing case carries the 4 thrust bearing halves. The two halves on the bottom have tabs on them, the two halves on the top do not. It would appear that you have the two halves from the top, but it is difficult to say, they may have been sheared off. If you have the time, could you post a picture looking at the back of your engine as you have it now? I am not sure if you can split the rear bearing case into its two pieces without doing a lot more disassembly.

 

[Johnwayne07]

In the LK30, the Flywheel end main bearing case carries the 4 thrust bearing halves. The two halves on the bottom have tabs on them, the two halves on the top do not. It would appear that you have the two halves from the top, but it is difficult to say, they may have been sheared off. If you have the time, could you post a picture looking at the back of your engine as you have it now? I am not sure if you can split the rear bearing case into its two pieces without doing a lot more disassembly.

Right now my thrust is .125 witch seams insane to me

 

[xcgreene]

So thats where you found the two pieces? they fell out just after you removed the bearing case cover which holds the lip seal?

.125 very well may be the thickness of the trust bearing that has fallen out.

Could I bother you to take one more photo looking at the area I'm pointing the arrow in the picture? as best you can, I know that angle wont be very easy with a camera.

 

[Johnwayne07]

Yea I pulled the seal cover off and both pieces dropped right out from behind it

 

[Johnwayne07]

From what I gather it's part number 24

 

[xcgreene]

Some diesels you can see part of the thrust bearing halves without disassembly, Shot it the dark I suppose, I was curious if this was the case. Is it possible the pieces are from the cover you removed? one can hope.

have a look at this. It is your crankshaft and bearings. What manual are you using to assist you if any?

 

[Johnwayne07]

No manual couldn't find one for the tractor and I think you are right id bet money that's where they came from since they were right at the seal cover

 

[Spanner]

Should be a 24 & 25 ? Has one of your pieces had a 'tab' like #25 torn/worn away?

If 2 x 24's were installed on the flywheel side of the bearing retainer they wouldn't have a 'tab' to stop rotation where-by they could spin and wear away?? There's an oil groove on the inner face only it looks to me.

0.125" is 1/8" so you could conceivably have 2 x 1/16" thrust washers (one on each side as per JW07's diagram).
Measure your thrust washer pieces (thickness). Are they anywhere near 1/16" (0.0625") ?

Edit: I'm referring to Post #7 diagram.

 

[xcgreene]

I've put an arrow where the thrust bearings are suppose to ride. I cannot confirm this for sure, but it seems very likely. If this is the case, it would explain how they could have just fallen out. Is their any indication that one of the bearing halves that fell out used to have a tab?
View attachment effbd65f231ee18ac967212d75405f35.jpg

 

[Johnwayne07]

The thickest part of the two pieces is .052 and it appears one of them could have had the tab broken off. But they are very worn so they would prolly have been close to a 16th at one time so if that is where they came from I would be able to replace them at the housing no need to drop the pan correct?

 

[Spanner]

Well the question is - What are the other two (inside the engine) like?

How hard is it to drop the sump pan?

 

[Johnwayne07]

Probably would be a bad idea to drop the pan and take a look and see what's going on or if any other parts are laying in the bottom

 

[Spanner]

Probably would be a bad idea to drop the pan and take a look and see what's going on or if any other parts are laying in the bottom

Probably would be a GOOD idea to drop the pan and take a look and see what's going on or if any other parts are laying in the bottom. :wink:

 

[Johnwayne07]

I knew this would turn into more then just some seals and a clutch haha life is no fun with out any projects

 

[xcgreene]

There is a good chance that if the two on the flywheel side fell out, and the crank shifted, there would now be room for the inside two to fall out, depending on how they are supposed to be retained.

 

[Spanner]

Agreed.

 

[Johnwayne07]

I'll drop the pan tomorrow and look I should be able to tell right away if they did

 

[Spanner]

Standing by...