mystery clunk

[finspop]

Hi,

My DK40SE seems to have developed a relatively minor, intermittent "clunk" during certain loader operations. It's a bit hard to describe, but feels as if it's coming from somewhere under the operating platform, although it could be that that's just where I'm feeling it, since that's where I tend to sit

It is load related; that is, it does not happen when I'm using the loader lightly, only when I'm really using it. Even then, it comes and goes. Originally, I was all but certain it was a loose loader mount, but I've been under the tractor four times, tightening every darn bolt I can find. I did find a few that were a bit loose, but the clunk remains. It is not awful; it doesn't feel as if the tractor is about to break in half or anything. In fact, if someone told me it was normal, or if it had been present when I bought the machine (I purchased it used with 44 hours, but out of warranty), I probably wouldn't think anything of it.

FWIW, it developed somewhere around the 100-hour mark (now has 120), and not terribly long after my friend deadheaded my hydraulics, as described here. Still, I have a hard time seeing how it could be related to that mishap, although perhaps someone can correct me on this.

Alrighty, then: Any ideas?

 

[Soundguy]

look at pin wear and slop.. also check for loose lugnuts, rim to center nuts and any hub connections.

does it do it forward to reverse? does it change with brake pedal pressure?

 

[finspop]

Thanks, SG. The pins are all tight, as I grease them religiously. I do a lot of loader work, and hit them every 10 hrs or less. I did check all the lugnuts. I will check other hub connections.

There seems to be no relationship to direction or braking that I have noticed. It definitely feels like something in the loader assembly or chassis is moving just a bit. But darned if I can figure out what the heck it is.

 

[Soundguy]

sometimes a pin will creek or clunk.. or if there is play it will 'pop' but if you don't see any of that.. it's a head scratcher.

soemthing is moving somewhere..

 

[Egon]

Any u-joints or steady bearings in the drivelines?

 

[seacap04]

My DK45SE HST was "clunking" a while back. I also checked under the tractor and the loader. Turned out to be loose bolts that keep the ROPs tight.

 

[Coyote machine]

Try pulling out any partly loose loader to frame bolts and inspect the bolt/threads/holes for any visible damage. These bolts are often too short and don't stay torqued. This can cause the type of noise you refer to. I replaced ALL the bolts on the right side of my loader to frame mount bolts with the longest bolts the hole would allow and put them in with RED Locktite. I check all the loader and wheel bolts frequently and so far no further problems. I'm also trying to be conscious of when I might be pushing the loader beyond its limits, before the limit valve kicks in.

 

[finspop]

thanks for all the ideas. I'm going to go through it all again. The frustrating thing is, I often can't even replicate the noise when I'm trying to. There's obviously some "perfect storm" of load and lifting pattern that I haven't really figured out.

 

[IndyIan]

Maybe check how the loader is sitting in the mount on the tractor? Maybe try filling the bucket with dirt, then push the bucket down to lift the front of the tractor, then lift the load of dirt again? I've never had my loader off but maybe a rock fell in the pocket that the loader sits in?

 

[Steve_Miller]

I have a CK30 and I think I have the same clunk you are describing, from what I can tell the loader quick release pins will allow the loader to jump every once in a while. I think it will occur when you somehow go from lifting/digging force and all of a sudden roll the bucket back and push up on the loader frame in the opposite direction if you know what I mean.

Steve