B7001 making grinding noise

[Pelagosdiver]

Hi,

I am new on this forum and have a question concerning a B7001 4 wheel Kubota which is making an ugly grinding kind of noise.
It started a few weeks ago, only in his highest gears, but now it is also regularly present in lower gears. It happens more when the 4 wheel traction is on, so I suspect it has something to do with the front axle?
I included a video of this, maybe somebody recognizes this problem?

http://youtu.be/flUCV6b4RxI


Kind regards,

Stef

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds like a bad throw out bearing.

Does the sound change or go away when you push in on the clutch?

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Thanks for your reply, no the sound doesn' go away whilst pushing the clutch, it also does not seems to originate from the gearbox.
Clutch works perfectly.

Stef

 

[rentthis]

The sound seems to be more external. Have you checked the 2 universal joints in the shaft connecting to the front differential?

 

[Pelagosdiver]

No, do I have to look for oil leaks?

Stef

 

[D2Cat]

Do you have a CV joint just in front of the transmission on the end of the power shaft that has the pilot bearing on the other end?

If you do, I'd guess the 'balls" in the joint are dislocated from wear and causing the noise.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Do you have a CV joint just in front of the transmission on the end of the power shaft that has the pilot bearing on the other end?

If you do, I'd guess the 'balls" in the joint are dislocated from wear and causing the noise.

I had that and a bad throw-out bearing and mine sounded just like that one.
So it's very possible that's his issues too.

What worries me is that if he pushes in the clutch and the noise does not go away then I would say the noise should be coming from the engine as that would be the only part that is still turning.
Maybe a bad dynamo, or maybe idler pulley?

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Thank you all for your input. Maybe I wasn't to clear on wat happens when
I push the clutch, the noise occurs only during the driving, never when standing still and idle. So when driving and the noise occurs, it won't go away when pushing the clutch until I come to a standstill. So probably you are right and I will have to disassemble the front axle and check the bearings.
I plan to bring in the tractor to my house this week and have a good look at it.
I will keep you up to date.

Stef

 

[jrslick]

Ok, I maybe wrong, but look at your back tires. I am willing to bet the bolt/pins that hold the hub to the axle broke and the tire rim is rubbing on the inside of the wheel fender. The hub has walked its way in. If I had to guess, by your video, it may be the right one.

The only reason I know this is mine is making a similar sound. I broke the bolts while clearing snow last week and I had to stop and replace one.

Just an idea.

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Ok, I will take a look at that too. Can't do it right now, cause it's in the woods right now, have to pick it up by car and bring it home. Hope to be able to do that this weekend, they predict bad weather around here...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

This is the parts that D2cat and I are talking about.

You could try and grease part #1 via zerk #5 (acsess hole in side of bell housing) if the noise goes away or gets quieter, you have not fixed the problem, you've only buffered it down and know exactly what you need to get into.

I'm not saying the noise or problem couldn't be in the front drive and axle, but when I heard that same noise, this was where the problem was at.

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Ok, got the tractor at home. The bolts on the rear tires are ok.
So I followed your advice and used the nipple to grease the area with a royal amount and yes! The noise is completely gone.
Thank you very much for this advice guys.
So now I'm going to split the tractor and replace the bearing.
This can take a while, but I will post the results.

Stef

 

[D2Cat]

Stef, you haven't mentioned how long you have owned the tractor, or you keeping it "tell the cows come home".

If you plan on a long life with you I would plan to take a close look at the pressure plate, clutch disk, throw out bearing, grease sleeve seals, and the shaft when you go to replace the joint.

I am not familiar with your tractor specifically, but you may be able to remove the metal cover (between your feet) and see the CV joint. If you can do this you can then start the tractor and see if the shaft oscillates back and for some. This will give you a clue if that joint is bad. The joint includes parts #18-27 as one piece.

You may have a pilot bearing that has given up, which could cause the noise you're having.

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Hi D2Cat,

I bought the tractor about 2 years ago from someone who probably imports them directly. According to the serial number, it is manufactered in 1978.
I use him for getting wood out of the forest.
There is no plate to remove, but I can see the drive axis from underneath. I will try to look at it during running.
The technical names are not always completely clear to me, as I don't know all of the english terms for them

Stef

 

[whitetiger]

Check the metal shield over your drive shaft to the front axle. It is either loose, bent or the plastic / rubber bearing are missing. I run into this about every six months.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Check the metal shield over your drive shaft to the front axle. It is either loose, bent or the plastic / rubber bearing are missing. I run into this about every six months.

Did you miss the post that the noise went away when he greased the slide on the throw out bearing?
Thus it's got a problem with the propeller shaft joint, throw out bearing, pilot bearing.

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Hi,

I made two short videos of the shaft as the Kubota is running. It doesn't seem to vibrate. What do you think, is it possible the bearings where just bonedry but not gone?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8Ub_g6FYc

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aIqtd_7Jbvw

Stef

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes it could be possible that there was just enough crud in the bearing holder that it was just too dry and binding.
When you greased the part your not really greasing the bearing it's a sealed bearing, but the shaft runs through the holder (tube) and can bind in there.

If you want to wait to get into it, you could, but if the noise returns, tear into it immediately before you have major damage.

 

[Pelagosdiver]

Yes, I understand what you mean. I will follow your advice and see what happens. At the slightest peep, I'll take him apart.
Just love this little tractor and plan to keep him in good shape!

Stef