Safety question

[Jim in SC]

I'm still trying to locate the noise that I thought was coming from the right final, possibly a bad bearing. I'm working an elimination of possibilities. The left final was removed last week, and all the bearings were good. I replaced all the oil seals and cleaned up the final and brake while I was in there. All good there. Thanks to one of Dale's previous threads, that was a pretty easy chore. I also used a hint from a youtube fella up in Maine on removing the final that worked great by the way, because I don't have a hydraulic lift. Picture of how the Maine guy did it is attached - I can link the video too, just not sure if I should or not though (is that permitted in the forum rules?).

The left side after final is off - note the two 8" bolts w/no head used to remove it.

Anyway, here is my safety question: I took off the right final yesterday and want to replace the differential seal. I need to remove the axle housing in order to get to the inner differential oil seal. I have the right rear tire/wheel and final off, leaving the other three on the ground. The front axle is wedged on both sides at the bolster and the wedges are clamped down tight. The tractor's wheels are blocked and it is in gear. I'm worried about jacking up the tractor on the differential/tranny though. Is that where it should be jacked up? The center of balance sure looks precarious. I don't want it to tip! Here's the right side:

The right sight after final is off. The housing is almost blocked entirely with acorns & trash.

Advice?

[MiCarl]

I recently disassembled mine from the rear to remove the transmission. In my case I jacked under the torque tube, ahead of the transmission. There would be even less weight on the jack if you use it under the transmission.

With the left tire and wheel mounted the tractor is probably pretty well balanced along the drive line or even heavier to the left.

It's important to make sure your wedges on the front axle are tight and block all the remaining wheels to keep the tractor from moving.

[Cubfriend]

Once a rear wheel is off the ground the transmission being in gear doesn’t stop it from moving. Glad you are being safety conscious. Good Luck!

[Jim in SC]

Thanks Frank & MiCarl, for the input. I took the plunge and jacked the Cub up under the tranny. Worked great and I got the axle housing off in good shape.

Here's what I found at the tranny.

I've already removed the bearing race holder and ordered a used one to replace it with. The shims, shim o-ring, and the inner oil seal are all going to be replaced, along with several of the grade 5 bolts holding everything together. Pretty darn rusty in there. I had to grind off one of the bearing race bolt heads to get it off. I believe the tranny bearing is okay. Things will be going together again as soon as some parts arrive.

Thanks again for the help.

[Jim in SC]

One last picture - not an original idea to me - I got the tip from watching the youtube video I mentioned above - terrific idea though. Just cut a hunk of angle iron, drill a couple of holes spaced just right and the heavy final is easy to work on. Check it out:

[Glen]

Hi,
When putting the final drives on the Cub, when the casting is going onto the 2 dowel pins, remember to look in by the front of the brake, and be sure the brake pin goes into the hole in the transmission housing, on the left side, or the hole in the right side extension, on the right side, and is still in place in the hole in the final drive.

The final drive should go onto the dowel pins by hand, if the pins are clean and not rusty.
Don't tighten the 6 bolts until you are sure the brake pin is in the hole for it, at both ends of it, you can break the casting tightening the bolts with the pin out of the hole.

Below is a pic of putting it together, on the right side. Use a light to see it if needed. It is the newer style brake in the pic, the 1st style has a pin too.

The brakes can make noises when the tractor is moving, scraping and squeaking noises.
If you can't find anything wrong with the final drive, it could be the brake making noise.
You didn't post any pics of the brake, I don't think you said if it is wornout.

[Jim in SC]

Hi Glen, and thanks for the tips. The brakes (both sides) looked good, very oily which was not a surprise given the condition of the seals. I cleaned the brakes and drums up and will reuse them. Not many hills in my neck of the woods, and I think this tractor was used mainly for mowing by the PO, so the brakes probably only got light use. Here's a picture of the left side brake drum and differential shaft before I put it back on:

Left brake drum