What Was John Deere Thinking?

[Missouri Lad]

Last summer I notice some play in my front axle pivot pin and bushings on my 1999 JD 345. I wanted to believe this was normal play/movement for 785 hours on the tractor. However, after replacing the three (3) idler pulleys on the drive belt assembly yesterday, I decided to tackle trying to get the front axle assembly off the tractor frame. The "Big" nut that holds the #AM135163 pivot pin is easy to remove, but, there's where it become a PITA trying to get the pivot pin out. You guess it, I have to remove the PTO from the crank shaft first. John Deere engineers could have made the frame 2" inches longer here is this area and save some few words you don't use in church. I had to replace my PTO two years ago, and that was a real wakeup call on getting the PTO off the shaft. When I installed the new PTO I did grease the shaft good. Lucky that I did, as the PTO came off with some help with a wheel puller. Now, I waiting to get my order in from the dealer on the pivot pint and two (2) #M124644 axle bushings. Hopeful I will have it all back in running shape come weekend.

 

[art]

Knowing how pto clutches come off I might have thought to loosen the engine's bolts to raise it enough for the pin to have cleared.

 

[Missouri Lad]

art, that thought occurred, but after examining the situation the engine would have to raise some three inches, and from that the PTO may only raise about one inch until it hits the tractor frame. So, that thought went out the window.