Differential bearing change out

[jrogers885]

Rebuilding the final drives on my 49 cub, starting with the left side. Changed all bearing and seals and all has gone pretty smooth. Remove the differential bearing retainer to change out the o-ring as well as the oil seal. Bearing doesn't look too good so i thought i should change it out also if it's not a momentous task. Couple of questions, can the bearing be removed without effecting the differential and if so what kind of puller would be used. I have attached a picture (i hope) of the bearing and doesn't look like many spots to grab hold of it. I am sure this is not the first time this has come up, unless it's an obvious answer, but i have not been able to locate anything.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Looks like that bearing is deep inside a recess, in which case, you'll probably only be able to get it with a split collar style bearing puller.

Like this - https://www.doctordiff.com/differential ... uller.html

You won't need the whole set, but you may have trouble finding the individual puller you need without buying a kit.

[jrogers885]

Thanks a lot will see what i can find. I assume by pulling the bearing will have no effect on the differential.

[Glen]

Hi,
The parts in the transmission and differential can get a slight rusted look, brown, from the moisture that commonly gets in the Cub trans housing.
If the bearing, or bearings you are working on don't have pits or rusted away places on them, or look worn from use over the years, they may not need replacing.
Feel the rollers and see if they are smooth.
If the bearings are still good, it's easier to use them more, my opinion.
Below is the Cub and LoBoy service manual, it has lots of info.
There is a contents beginning on page 1 of most sections, it makes it easier to use online.

https://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.cle ... index.html

The manual was made in the 1970's, so it has newer 12 volt system info in it.
After putting on one or both bearings there, there is one on the right also, you may need to adjust the shims at the retainer.
That means changing the thickness, or number of shims.
You can look at the manual, and see what it says about that.
If you have to hammer to put the new bearing on there, it will be hammering on the bearing that is on the right side, it is the same type of bearing. Probably not good to hammer there.

[jrogers885]

Thanks those were my thoughts also. Bearing rollers seem to be smooth, maybe just a little sloppy. Sounds like i will just leave be, this tractor surely won't we over worked. If i find the right side is bad i can come back and replace both and adjust the shims if needed. Thanks again for the great info.

[Gary Dotson]

I can’t tell much from the pic but if the outer race is smooth, with no pits and the rollers are also smooth with no pits, I would consider the bearing useable. If you do need to replace, I would consider a differential tear down and replace both sides. As long as the original shims are kept in their original locations, no real set-up is needed.

[jrogers885]

Thanks a lot. I would assume a differential tear down would mean splitting the tractor

[Glen]

Thanks a lot. I would assume a differential tear down would mean splitting the tractor

Hi,
The service manual I posted above tells about working on the differential.
Page 7-8 says the countershaft, or lower shaft in the transmission should be out of the trans, to set the bearing preload of the differential bearings.
The Cub needs splitting, and the trans removed to take the countershaft out.
If the 2 bearings on the sides of the differential are still good, it's easier to use them more.

Below is a picture, it looks like the differential does come out when the left and right final drives, and right side extension are off, and the 2 bearing retainers are removed. It doesn't need splitting to remove the differential.

[Jim Becker]

I'll repeat some of what Gary said. I wouldn't replace the bearings unless they really need it. If you keep the shims all where they were, you are preserving the old set-up. You shouldn't need to change it.

I believe you can pull the differential to change the bearings without removing the lower transmission shaft. So no split needed.

[Gary Dotson]

Right, Jim, I’ve done them that way, before.

[jrogers885]

Thanks for all the feed back. I am going to leave them as they don't look bad but just a little sloppy.

[tst]

the diff just slides out after one bearing is removed through the back , not hard to change