Front end bearing wear - how to fix?

[Rustyred 58]

Hi guys,

 

We just took apart the front end of our C-81 tractor and found that the front wheel bearings have worn into the front axel's a good bit. There are pictures below.

 

My question is - do I need to buy new parts? Or has anyone come up with a way of fixing this problem?

 

Has anyone tried building up an axle with weld and machining it down? Is there any alternative to buying a new part?

 

When I can't figure it out I go to Red Square so thanks in advance for any response.

 

 

[pfrederi 17,129]

Used ones are available frequently on that auction site.  Unless you have your own machine shop i would guess that option would be more expensive than buying them used.

Edited February 19, 2017 by pfrederi

[953 nut 51,541]

[JAinVA 4,619]

As stated earlier you could buy used ones better than what you have.You could weld up what you have and machine them down.It will take at least a 12" swing lathe.If you go to a local machine shop chances are it will cost way more to have what you have repaired than to purchase replacements.JAinVA

Edited February 20, 2017 by JAinVA

[N3PUY 1,031]

I would scuff it with some 80 grit paper and fill it with JB Weld.

A file will remove the excess.

Then use ball bearings and not bronze bearings.

[can whlvr 991]

I don't know if those were replacement bearings,but I see guys posting that they got cheap prices on bearings,its not worth skimping on bearings,when they fail it almost allways costs way more to fix then the good bearings would cost

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Maybe Belzona.

http://www.belzona.com/en/products/1000/1111.aspx

Edited February 20, 2017 by DennisThornton

[cschannuth 3,795]

I got a set of spindles from A-Z Tractors on here reasonably and they showed zero wear. 

 

Craig

Edited February 20, 2017 by cschannuth

[oliver2-44 8,837]

I used "Steel Stick" which is very similar to JB Weld in exactly this repair on a cheap brand tractor.  Sold it about 4 years later and it was still holding up.  of course it was only a mower. If your hanging a lot of weight up front that might be a different story..

2 hours ago, N3PUY said:

I would scuff it with some 80 grit paper and fill it with JB Weld.

A file will remove the excess.

Then use ball bearings and not bronze bearings.

 

[wallfish 15,912]

1st choice) Replace with used spindles

2nd choice) weld it, grind it close, finish with a file.

No need to machine it if you don't own a large lathe, this isn't a precision part

[richmondred01 2,203]

I've got several sets of the 8 inch spindles. PM me if interested. 

[Rustyred 58]

Thank you all for the advice. Some good options we've taken note of. Thanks again.