The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I'm working on the seal at the rear axle.
Notice something strange. There are two kind of axle on my Major.
See pictures.


This is the right axle.


This is the left axle. I've seen axles with two holes beside the center hole.


Also on the other end there’s a difference.
And the left axle has a hardened surface. The right one not.
I think the right axle is the normal one.
Any one has an idea?

Hi Henk
I've only had the lid off three different Majors so not an expert in this area but I have only seen half-shafts such as the one on the left ie the one with a few threads protruding from the castellated nut. Are the trumpet housings different also?
Best
Adrian

Adrian,

The trumpets are the same.
Can't see why there is need for the extension at the threated end on the right axle. I assume the cut in the outside of the axle would be for a dual wheel or something.

Wondering if the right axle extention has something to do with the differential lock on the Supers, and was sold as a replacement that would interchange on all? Dandy Dave!

Hi Henk, the axle with the groove was used up to end of power major production .The axle with the holes was for the super ,most had three holes but I had one with two holes like yours ,Liam.

My 1960 Power Major has 3 holes both sides??? Dandy Dave!

More differences. I wanted to slide the seal on the axle, but found out that this part is also different. I remember that some one had the same problem and changed the sealers. I want to machine that part so the normal seal will fit. Pitty I can't messure the axle that's all ready in place.

hello henk

i've you got new rear seals for your rearaxle , i think the retainer where the seal is is different ( the metal part ) the retainer got a extra ring , so i will not fit

i've used a lathe to get the extra ring of , after that it wil fit fine

http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb ... f=2&t=3895

Tanks for the links Janus. Could not find the topic with the right picture.
I'm planing to machine the axle instead of the retainer so they will be the same.

Surprise surprise!!!!!
When I was machining the axle on the lathe, suddenly a ring broke of.
I seems that the part I was machining was a bush that was fitted on the rear axle.
Don't know if it was original or to cover-up for a fault at the factory.
Because I was afraid that the bush would slide to the outside when the axle is fitted and the axle could get some play, I welded some spot welds in the radius.

First picture is from Ian, showing the old model.


Next one is the model I found at the left side before machining.


The last picture is after machining.

Hi, slightly off subject have looked around but can not find a clear explanation the left seal is leaking on my 1959 power major so am thinking of changing the pair, they are the same as your right one. Is it a lot of work to do it. Do you have to remove the top cover of the rear axle.

Finally is it worth ordering new bearings with the brass seals.

Many thanks
Dan

Ours (1958 Major) has the slotted hubs Henk, as a kid I wondered where you could get a screw driver big enough for the slot 50 years later I'm still looking for one

Dan,

You have to remove the top cover. Getting the axle out is easy but don't forget to wipe the sealholder out of the grove.
To remove the seal you have to remove the bearing. That's where you need some special tools. There are some topics about it with a picture of the Fordson tool for the job. The sealing is probebly going to brake when doing that. Getting the bearing back on I have heated them in oil and slide them on the axle. Works fine.
I would check the bearings first before ordering new ones.

Oehrick,
You were all ready in technics at a young age. Some have it others will never.
Never seen one either.

Thanks Oehrick that explains it a lot better. Sorry but just a few more questions. Once you have removed the top cover is there a nut in there?, presumibly similar to the other end. Finally apart from the bearing seal, sourcing the tool and making a gasket for the top cover do I need to source anything else.

Many thanks
Dan

Dan,

You will find the nut when you open the rear axle. See pictures above.

I think it will cover it all.

This is what it looks like when you get the top off.

henk wrote: Oehrick,
You were all ready in technics at a young age. Some have it others will never.
Never seen one either.

Henk, I blame it on.........

Meccano, a Bowman oscillating cylinder steam engine, a Polish father who worked for a telephone / timeclock / tannoy rental company and never threw anything away, plus a Great Uncle who was a partner in the local garage. I had no shortage of tools, mechanisms to experiment with or skilled people to observe in action.

At a tender age (probably about , father, who was responsible for a number of master / slave clock installations in the area was paid an extra 8 hour day for the Saturday each time the hour was advanced or retarded, so I was dropped off somewhere 'tame' to put forward or hold back the master while he did another one elsewhere in parallel, never quite got it down to 4 hours but it came close ! So I ended up inside some big engineering works and other factories and you can witness all sorts interesting operations while waiting an hour to restart a stopped clock and when you are young you absorb it all, even if you don't quite understand at the time sometime later it comes to your assistance.

Unfortunately the youngsters of today experience so little of the real world we may be the last generation of truly skilled mechanical tinkerers.

I also thought you have to search for those youngsters with a lamp, but since I work as a teacher I know they are still out there, but as rough diamonts. They just need some fine grinding to shine.
Every year there are a few who are interested in oldtimer tractors and some end up at my club after a few years with there own tractor.
Pitty the young one choose for JD. I thell them the only good green yellow tractor is the Roadless Ploughmaster. That always leads to a lot of reactions.

Yes its not all youngsters but few enough Henk