ML3 863 #1 Posted February 10 Starting to dig into my Suburban transmission. Decided to start taking apart the original one that was in tractor. Here's the results...... Not much that's good. Most the bearings seized. Surprisingly the diff assembly looks good. I still got a lot of cleaning to do. Next I'll take apart the transmission that's in the Suburban now. I bought at big show last year that was supposed to be good. Turns out...it's not. Was hoping that between the 2 transmissions I could make 1 good or at least get most the way there🤞 Trying to get the other transmission apart this weekend. Hate working on transmissions! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,838 #2 Posted February 10 Little inspiration here guy. This one lives today... Think to fail and you will ... think to succeed and you will. 8 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #3 Posted February 10 6 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Think to fail and you will ... think to succeed and you will. ❤️ 1 hour ago, ML3 said: Suburban transmission Bearings are easy to obtain. Not an issue. The gears are available. You're really not in bad shape. Looks ugly as a stump fence ... but so do I. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #4 Posted February 10 7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: ❤️ Bearings are easy to obtain. Not an issue. The gears are available. You're really not in bad shape. Looks ugly as a stump fence ... but so do I. Im hoping the transmission that i.have on tractor now (one I bought at big show) is in better shape 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 7,360 #5 Posted February 10 Always best to flush the transmission first before disassembling it...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 10,821 #6 Posted February 10 3 hours ago, WHX?? said: Think to fail and you will ... 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,674 #7 Posted February 10 13 hours ago, ML3 said: I bought at big show last year that was supposed to be good. Turns out...it's not. I would say that is kind of rare. But stranger things happen. I guess if you can't turn it by hand...... don't buy it. and if you can turn it by had get a feel for internal issue like roughness or a clunk. Not fool proof but might help on the choose. I was at the show a few years back in one of the buildings getting some belts and odd ends. The guy at the table was selling the stuff stopped me and said hold on, I got to go check on that guy over there he likes to walk out and not pay. I was surprised to say the least. But you know they are everywhere. Selling and buying. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #8 Posted February 10 (edited) Got parts from original transmission cleaned up. Pretty much every bearing is seized or binding. Not too much to salvage gear wise. Definitely scoring on axle shafts where bushings first diff ride. However, it still seems like diff is good. Now I gotta get other transmission off Suburban & apart. My garage reeks like gear lube! 🤮 Glad it's a detached garage. And of course the pump decides to go out on my solvent wash tank..... Edited February 10 by ML3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #9 Posted February 10 4 hours ago, JoeM said: I would say that is kind of rare. But stranger things happen. I guess if you can't turn it by hand...... don't buy it. and if you can turn it by had get a feel for internal issue like roughness or a clunk. Not fool proof but might help on the choose. I was at the show a few years back in one of the buildings getting some belts and odd ends. The guy at the table was selling the stuff stopped me and said hold on, I got to go check on that guy over there he likes to walk out and not pay. I was surprised to say the least. But you know they are everywhere. Selling and buying. I checked it at time of purchase & it turned freely. It even seemed fine when I had tractor on bench idling it went into all gears & turned w/o any noise or resistance. When I got it rolling & on ground pushing it outside to take 1st test drive ot made noise & would look up as I was pushing it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #10 Posted February 10 @ML3 One of the important things to keep close to mind here is What exactly will this tractor be doing? If it was destined to be STRICTLY a show cruiser then obviously you could get away with some seriously worn parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #11 Posted February 10 4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: @ML3 One of the important things to keep close to mind here is What exactly will this tractor be doing? If it was destined to be STRICTLY a show cruiser then obviously you could get away with some seriously worn parts. It's got a slightly built Predator that's probably close to 8hp. It's a rat rod so I'm sure I'll ride it like an idiot & do wheelies etc. Lol. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #12 Posted February 10 2 minutes ago, ML3 said: It's got a slightly built Predator that's probably close to 8hp. It's a rat rod so I'm sure I'll ride it like an idiot & do wheelies etc. Lol. So you'll want a good set of gears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #13 Posted February 10 16 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: So you'll want a good set of gears. 16 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: So you'll want a good set of gears. Yep! And when I got an audience & I've had a few beers it becomes show time!!🤣 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #14 Posted February 11 Here's the original Suburban transmission apart & damage..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,940 #15 Posted February 11 23 hours ago, ML3 said: It's got a slightly built Predator that's probably close to 8hp. It's a rat rod so I'm sure I'll ride it like an idiot & do wheelies etc. Lol. If that's the case then why not just add an 8 speed trans to it? Those little transmissions won't take as much abuse as evidenced by the damage you have now. Welding a plate on the back of the frame or better yet, weld one up that can just bolt on to the frame so it can always be switched back to original and it's a fairly simple deal to do too. Save those old trans! LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #16 Posted February 11 Here's the transmission I purchased last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #17 Posted February 11 1 minute ago, wallfish said: If that's the case then why not just add an 8 speed trans to it? Those little transmissions won't take as much abuse as evidenced by the damage you have now. Welding a plate on the back of the frame or better yet, weld one up that can just bolt on to the frame so it can always be switched back to original and it's a fairly simple deal to do too. Save those old trans! LOL I was wondering about something like that. Assume its been done already? I want to lower the tractor in the future anyway so I'd be looking at relocating transmission anyway. My nephew is a extremely talented welder Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #18 Posted February 11 3 hours ago, wallfish said: If that's the case then why not just add an 8 speed trans to it? Those little transmissions won't take as much abuse as evidenced by the damage you have now. Welding a plate on the back of the frame or better yet, weld one up that can just bolt on to the frame so it can always be switched back to original and it's a fairly simple deal to do too. Save those old trans! LOL 3 hours ago, ML3 said: I was wondering about something like that. Assume its been done already? I want to lower the tractor in the future anyway so I'd be looking at relocating transmission anyway. My nephew is a extremely talented welder John's got an excellent idea there. If you're interested in lowering the stance now's the time. Get an 8 speed with 1 1/8 axles and 8 pinion differential. Those are the strongest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,940 #19 Posted February 11 3 hours ago, ML3 said: I was wondering about something like that. Assume its been done already? I want to lower the tractor in the future anyway so I'd be looking at relocating transmission anyway. My nephew is a extremely talented welder It's been done plenty. If'n you want to lower the seat too and sit more between the tires, the trans can be set back a little farther for some leg room. The spindles can flip over to lower the front but the axle needs to be modified just a bit so it can hold the weight. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #20 Posted February 11 25 minutes ago, wallfish said: It's been done plenty. If'n you want to lower the seat too and sit more between the tires, the trans can be set back a little farther for some leg room. The spindles can flip over to lower the front but the axle needs to be modified just a bit so it can hold the weight. I'll make new spindles that are above axle. I'll have to thread the ends & use a nut to secure them so they are strong. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 863 #21 Posted February 11 (edited) 13 hours ago, ebinmaine said: John's got an excellent idea there. If you're interested in lowering the stance now's the time. Get an 8 speed with 1 1/8 axles and 8 pinion differential. Those are the strongest. My 753 has 8sp conversion. I like it. I just need to make sure my bolt pattern on wheels matches hubs on whatever 8sp I get. Think 8sp is way to go & probably will be moat cost effective & definitely stronger Edited February 12 by ML3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #22 Posted February 11 20 minutes ago, ML3 said: My 753 has 8sp conversion. I like it. I just need to make sure my bolt pattern on wheels matches hubs on whatever 8sp I get. Think going 8sp is way to go & probably will be moat cost effective & definitely stronger I believe the 3 bolt hubs are the same spacing as the 5 bolt later hubs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,940 #23 Posted February 12 3 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I believe the 3 bolt hubs are the same spacing as the 5 bolt later hubs. Yes they are. And that brings up another good point about using 5 bolt hubs too 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,269 #24 Posted February 12 9 hours ago, wallfish said: Yes they are. And that brings up another good point about using 5 bolt hubs too Excellent point and another great reason for an 8 speed swap in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,980 #25 Posted February 12 Jake Kuhn has gears and more gears. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
