bmsgaffer 2,053 #1 Posted April 20, 2015 My 854 has sloppy steering on the left side spindle because the roll-pin hole in the spindle has worn oblong. I was going to drill it to the next size roll pin but I was wondering if I should replace them with the stainless spiral pins from McMaster or if that was just overkill? I will be working this tractor, not showing if that makes any difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #2 Posted April 20, 2015 Or should I just look for a replacement spindle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clip 185 #3 Posted April 20, 2015 I'd drill it and replace with a larger pin, as long as you have enough meat left on the spindle. You could get stainless pins but as the spindle hole is wearing and the pin hasn't sheared yet, that's an indication that the carbon steel pin held up well enough to wear the metal around it. I'd replace with another plain steel pin and lube all joints to try and reduce force needed to turn. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #4 Posted April 20, 2015 I'd drill it and replace with a larger pin, as long as you have enough meat left on the spindle. You could get stainless pins but as the spindle hole is wearing and the pin hasn't sheared yet, that's an indication that the carbon steel pin held up well enough to wear the metal around it. I'd replace with another plain steel pin and lube all joints to try and reduce force needed to turn. That is an incredibly obvious, and incredibly valid point. I'm gonna go sit in a corner for a while now... I didn't even have much trouble pounding out the (probably) 51 year old roll pin... I am an engineer and I am often afflicted with the "it needs to always be improved" syndrome. Some things are just good enough! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clip 185 #5 Posted April 20, 2015 I'm a materials engineer myself and was getting ready to suggest going with a martensitic stainless pin like 420SS for a good Rockwell hardness, and then had a rare moment of clarity 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #6 Posted April 21, 2015 To make a note for anyone coming back to this thread, the original IPL calls out TWO roll pins: 1/4" then a 5/32" driven inside the 1/4". I repaired it by drilling it out to 5/16" and then driving in a (standard carbon steel) 5/16" roll pin followed by a 7/32" roll pin. Fixed it right up! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #7 Posted April 21, 2015 Sometimes just relying one the K.I.S.S. method for a repair is the most practical Share this post Link to post Share on other sites