Turned 1000 hours - then crunch...

[MickeyDBC]

I would imagine that these are ABEC 1 (industry standard tolerance) bearings along the lines of automotive wheel bearings. These bearing sizes are often available in an ABEC 3 or even 5 standard (much tighter tolerances) that will give better performance and life. Generally a bearing supply house can cross reference the stock bearing to a higher quality SKF or FAG bearing, often for the same price as the original equipment bearing.

 

[DieselBound]

Not meaning to get this off-track, but any chance that operating in 4wd doing heavy loader work exasperates this issue? I'd done a lot of loader work (bucket full of material- very heavy), backing and turning on ground that was fairly stable (not loose). I made it a habit to switch off 4wd when going to turn and go forward (after backing out from the pile). IN 4wd with a lot of weight in the bucket and turning I could really feel the strains.

 

[southerniltractor]

DieselBound, I do the same practice as you with my FEL. I try to keep out of 4wd when I'm making sharp turns on stable ground.

 

[xcgreene]

DieselBound, I do the same practice as you with my FEL. I try to keep out of 4wd when I'm making sharp turns on stable ground.

I think this is good advice, and keeping it slow during these turns as well.

 

[JimR]

Not meaning to get this off-track, but any chance that operating in 4wd doing heavy loader work exasperates this issue? I'd done a lot of loader work (bucket full of material- very heavy), backing and turning on ground that was fairly stable (not loose). I made it a habit to switch off 4wd when going to turn and go forward (after backing out from the pile). IN 4wd with a lot of weight in the bucket and turning I could really feel the strains.

You are so right with your way of thinking. The 4 wheel drive will get wound up on hard ground and heavy loader loads when turning. You are much better to have a ballast weight in the rear and leave it out of 4x4 unless absolutely necessary on hard ground. Anyone that plows snow with a pickup will tell you the same thing.

 

[phiferpharm]

Well, I finally got the bad (actually, not that bad) news and it is 2 bearings and wheel seal (6208 and 6209 on diagram), and the bottom bearing(6208?) on the short shaft. The later is more as a precaution as it looked okay, but wasn't turning as smooth as it could. All told, about $200 or so in parts. The repair guy said I got it stopped before I did more damage, so that's a good thing. I ordered the parts and should be back in business early next week.

As far as running in 4 wheel drive - I don't. I had it in 4 wheel to fill the bucket and back it out of the dirt pile. I usually turn off the 4 wheel drive when I stop and start forward. Frankly, I really don't use 4 wheel drive unless I'm getting slippage.

 

[oosik]

Whew!!! You are not kidding. It could have been a whole lot worse. Any ideas what caused the bearing problems? Or was it just their time......

 

[phiferpharm]

Whew!!! You are not kidding. It could have been a whole lot worse. Any ideas what caused the bearing problems? Or was it just their time......

Not really, He said the wheel may have been leaking for a longer than I thought as there was a pretty good build up of oil and dirt on the inside that was more than what should have been there for just breaking. Everything was greased up well and the right side checked out fine. I do use it about 90% of the time moving dirt, manure, and lots of grapple work, so I'm guessing it is due to lots of front end use.

 

[oosik]

A story - kind of off subject - except the crunch part. Had to have two driveshaft seals replaced on the F-150 this summer - $$$$. So yesterday I go into Spokane - son & I go out for lunch. On the drive in - 25 miles - all of a sudden a HORRID grinding, crunching sound - like its coming from the driveline.

Poop - I'm on the freeway and can't stop until I get to my son's place. Strange - the sound comes, the sound goes - never quite the same.

It was a chunk of ice - about 4" x 6" x 3/4" thick - jammed up in the front wheel rim assembly. As I drove - it melted - differing size made differing noises. I though I was in deep doo........ My 'ol heart was up in my throat.

The chunk of ice came from the one frozen puddle in my driveway. First time for everything. I must drive thru that frozen puddle and break the ice at least 50 to 75 times each winter and in various configurations for the last 36 years I've been here.

 

[ovrszd]

Glad it's working out for you.

Abnormal sounds rarely go away....