2014 RTV 1140CPX New Project for Restoration - PART 2

Nicksacco

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, 2014 RTV-1140CPX
Sep 15, 2021
685
392
63
Bahama, NC
This is a continuation of this thread:


I knew this thread would get long, so here is more work done on the RTV now in Part 2.


The work has been coming along and I've gotten the absolute worst of it done - the cleanup and prep.

Always tough with neglected machinery due to rust, abuse and general malaise toward maintenance.

The following are some photos with some details as I give this machine a good going over.

FRONT AXLE CASES:

They have been cleaned, blasted and now powdercoated. I found some charcoal grey that is a pretty close color to the Kubota Dark Grey.

Front Cases prepped.JPG
Front Cases prepped 2.JPG
Front Cases Completed.JPG




This next set comprises the Rear Axle, Axle Shafts, Bearings and Seals

The Axle is pretty heavy, but can be easily moved by one person - it's a clumsy weight.

Here it is being scrubbed - all the mud and grit removed for paint prep - bearings and seals removed.

Rear Axle Removed for cleaning and painting.JPG



Seals, Spacers and Bearings - the outside seals are noted. They were in really bad shape and NOT meant to be 3 pieces!

There was one bad bearing (gritty feeling when rotated).

Bearings and Seals.JPG


Axle shafts, Spring hangars, Shock Mounts, Shock and Spring Hanger Brackets.

Note one hub has been blasted in the photo


Parts Laid out from Rear Axle.JPG


Closeup of one of the seals - note the multiple sealing surfaces.


Closeup of seal lips.JPG


This is a view of the Axle Shaft bearings and seals and spacer laid out in order of assembly.
The wheel hub would be on the right.

The Axle Shafts connect to the transmission with another set of Ujoints - the design is that the spline on the bottom LEFT engages with the transmission shaft and is protected by a boot.

Dropping the axle allows the transmission shafts (Left and Right) to separate from the Axle Shafts (Left and Right)


Rear Axle Shaft parts layout.JPG



More Parts on the way....
 
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DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,305
4,879
113
North East CT
I noticed in one of the pictures in part 1 you are using an induction heater. I am tackling a similar type of project and was wondering how well the induction heater worked with rusted bolts. I am thinking of investing in one to help to disassemble some very rusty parts. thanks
 

Nicksacco

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, 2014 RTV-1140CPX
Sep 15, 2021
685
392
63
Bahama, NC
I noticed in one of the pictures in part 1 you are using an induction heater. I am tackling a similar type of project and was wondering how well the induction heater worked with rusted bolts. I am thinking of investing in one to help to disassemble some very rusty parts. thanks

The induction heater is the favorite tool here at Restoration Central!
It's a very concentrated heat and will get a bolt red hot anywhere from 30 sec to 2 min depending upon the size.
I don't use a torch much because I can't really control it - I use it for large pieces usually not on a vehicle.

The heater I have does get warm and it will thermally shut off if hot until it cools again.
I think it should have had a switch for just the internal fan.
I use a vacuum cleaner to pull air through it and that works great.

Here's a trick; clean off as much of the threads as you can before attempting to remove the bolt. Dirty threads (whether dirt or rust) will just make the job harder.
 

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,305
4,879
113
North East CT
I was taught to tighten the bolt a little to see if it will move. If it doesn't tighten then be very careful when trying to loosen it. If it starts to move, then loosen 1/4 turn and tighten 1/2 turn so the rust doesn't jam up the threads. Keep repeating till the bolt comes off easily, and use lots of penetrant/lubricant.
 

Nicksacco

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, 2014 RTV-1140CPX
Sep 15, 2021
685
392
63
Bahama, NC
CONTINUATION - Let's Keep Moving! - August 13, 2024


Still moving along with this restoration and guess what? It's taken longer than anticipated - Shocker, I know!

Today we're looking at the Rear Axle and associated shafts (Axle Shafts and Transmission Shafts).
I had to replace a U-Joint and so "while in there" I conceded to remove more stuff, clean that up and make it "new" again.

Transmission and Axle Shafts.JPG


I decided to strip the axle and repaint.
I cleaned up the bearing and seal surfaces reinstall after painting would go easier.

Cleaning the Axle Bearing surfaces.JPG


7 Stripping for painting.JPG


8 Painted.JPG



For the Axle: Next will be the installation of the seals for the axle shafts followed by the axle shafts.
Should be fairly easy since all is cleaned up.

Below is the Transmission Shaft cleanup and Ujoint replacement. Lots of rust to remove (blasted) and a nice coat of paint to prevent further rust plus a new Ujoint!

You need to drain most of the transmission fluid (about 3 gallons total) otherwise removing the propeller shafts will cause oil to flow out and make a mess.

Yeah - I bit the bullet and purchased 7 gallons of SUDT - ouch.


Propellor shaft before.JPG


Remove all 4 of the Ujoint retaining clips.
You can use a press or a Ball Joint removal tool.
But don't accidentally bend the yoke trying get the rusty thing out.
I did, and I had to straighten it out again - what a pain.

Removing Ujoint clips.JPG


To remove the seal (under the metal cover - first remove the retaining ring and with a couple of taps on the spline with a hammer, the bearing will pop right off.

Propeller shaft - remove the seal.JPG


Putting the shaft back together is easy - lubricate the seal and shafts.

Assemble the propeller shaft.JPG


I used a piece of steel tubing to press the bearing back onto the shaft and replaced the retaining ring. Job done.

Tap the bearing back onto shaft.JPG


Next was cleaning and painting the leaf springs and mounts.

Cleaning and painting leaf springs.JPG


That's it for this segment.
 
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Nicksacco

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, 2014 RTV-1140CPX
Sep 15, 2021
685
392
63
Bahama, NC
Part 3 can be found here