BX tie rod Zerk fittings

[TheMurf]

Has anyone installed zerk fittings in the tie rods ends on a BX tractor? My new BX has sealed tie rod ends. I'm thinking about drilling them and installing self tapping Zerk fittings. Drives me crazy I can't grease them and using a needle does not seam to be as good as a grease fitting.

Has anyone done this ?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Has anyone installed zerk fittings in the tie rods ends on a BX tractor? My new BX has sealed tie rod ends. I'm thinking about drilling them and installing self tapping Zerk fittings. Drives me crazy I can't grease them and using a needle does not seam to be as good as a grease fitting.

Has anyone done this ?

I am sure there are more constructive things to worry about.

Dan

 

[cthomas]

Nope, but a picture of them would be helpful.

 

[DustyRusty]

I have never worn out a tie rod on any of the 2 BX tractors that I owned. I have had a few torn factory boots that I had to replace.

 

[xrocketengineer]

I am sure there are more constructive things to worry about.

Dan

If you want to feel paranoid about something on your tractor, next time you remove your MMM, make sure to check the CV joint boots on the propeller shaft connecting the engine to the HST.

 

[TheMurf]

As a matter of fact, I had the deck off yesterday, cleaning, grease and sharping the blades . I checked all the rubber boots etc. Spray all the linkages with fluid film and clean under the machine. Everything looks good but it should since the machine has only thirty hours on it. I'm a fanatic about maintenance I guess. Bugs me as to why there are not more zerk fittings on the BX. My thirty year old Gravely professional rider has them all over. I would think Kubota should have more than they do..

 

[TheMurf]

I remember doing CV boots on Cadillac Eldorados back in the 70's in my dads service station. Still got the special tools in my tool box for that job.

 

[Smokeydog]

Factory joints don’t seem to have much lubricant. Use a needle to pack the joints lasts a long time. Have seen a fellow install some zerks on some replacement joints. Have to take the joint apart. Replacement joints on larger tractors are expensive.

 

[TheMurf]

Smokeydog, Thanks.Maybe aftermarket joints gave them ?

 

[Henro]

I have never worn out a tie rod on any of the 2 BX tractors that I owned. I have had a few torn factory boots that I had to replace.

My BX2200 is approaching 20 years old now with 1500+/- hours on the clock. Like DustyRusty, no worries about tie rod ends yet.

I would worry more about the plastic HST cooling fan, if I wanted to worry about something.

 

[DustyRusty]

My BX2200 is approaching 20 years old now with 1500+/- hours on the clock. Like DustyRusty, no worries about tie rod ends yet.

I would worry more about the plastic HST cooling fan, if I wanted to worry about something.

Yeh, I replaced the cooling fan after about 10 years of it having one broken fin. It wasn't a difficult task, but it was time-consuming, especially since the tractor had a Curtis soft cab that had to be removed before the floor pan could be removed for access to the fan. If the fan on my BX23S with cab ever needs to be replaced, I will replace the tractor before I would attempt to do that repair.

 

[TheMurf]

You would think Kubota would use a aluminum fan instead of that plastic one.

 

[DustyRusty]

They could also use a fan made of nylon plastics that can take a shock loading and not crumble. Today there are plastics that perform better than metal in many applications. The only reason they don't is because of the bean counters. The same goes for the quality of the boots on the drive shaft and the tie rod ends.

 

[hagrid]

Sounds like a good application for a 3D printer.

 

[BAP]

Almost no tie rods in any applications, wether it be tractors, cars, or trucks have grease fittings. Just like most drive shafts on vehicles wether it’s for the front or back don’t have grease fittings.

 

[Smokeydog]

Driveline shop you can get either sealed or zerk fitted parts. Sealed will last longer if your not friends with the grease gun. Greaseable can last several times longer.