Farmall Cub

If you have trouble getting the adjustable front axle apart, that would be normal after 40 or 50 years. On the '67 Lo, one side came out by hand, WOW that was nice! It's mate however was more stubborn, but came around after a little coaxing, and a few threats of using a bigger hunk of hammer. That was fine, cleaned everything up real good and went to re-insert. Again, one side slid in and out no problem (especially with a nice application of "no sieze") but the evil one would go in just over half way and begin to bind. I did not want to leave it like that, where you would have to hammer away at it if you ever wanted to adjust it again. I set out to find the problem. AHAH! (that's a backwards laugh!)
It seems when the good folks at IH welded the spindle into this offending piece of pipe the pipe took on an oblong shape at the spindle end, which in effect widened the pipe down it's length enough to cause it to bind.
SOLUTION: Use a grinder and a file to take off "humps" from top and bottom of pipe. Take off a bit at a time. You could use a micrometer or something similar to measure as you go along. Also keep trying it into the axle 'til it slides easily in & out and you are "good to go".

Hpe this helps someone else. Sorry no pics.

EZ,

If I ever get mine apart, I'll be sure to check that!

Still soaking in the electrolysis tank, and the next attempt will be with a cable come-along between two trees - a spinoff of the two-bottle-jack method. I don't have two bottle jacks, but I do have the cable come-along... I've already bought about $500 in tools to work on the Cub so I'll try to get away with not having to buy two jacks that will rarely get used again (already have two quick-heist shop jacks), but hey, mo' tools mo' better!

It's too late to help you Allen, but one way to help loosen the adjustable axles is to loosen the clamps and replace the pins with smaller ones and just go ahead and use it for awhile. To free wheels that are stuck to the hubs it also works to loosen the lug bolts about 1/2 to 1 turn and just drive it around a little.

Allenlook wrote:

I've already bought about $500 in tools to work on the Cub

That what projects are all about You can bet that whenever I start a project I'm going to need some new tools. I tell Merry "I really have to have this to do the job"

But I think she's starting to suspect something... This project was my excuse to get into pneumatic tools

I think I overloaded the HarborFreight website with orders for cheap Chinese tools :D:D

Would a Hi Lift jack work to push the pieces apart? I have used it as a clamp, but never the opposite. Supposed to work for that.
That is one handy tool!
I have used it to collapse a snowmobile suspension to get a coil over shock in and to lift a barn corner to replace the sill. It can also be used as a come-a-long too.

Do you mean one of those jacks on a 3 or 4 foot I-beam? That's a good idea. You still might need two because you have to be able to press the axles evenly or they'll bind...

My mistake.... you can use it as a clamp and a winch but not to 'push' things apart. It was one of those rare moments when I was not thinking (yeah right!)
I have one mounted in my truck bed.... just so I never need it!

Regardless, it can be a handy (although somewhat unstable) tool.
http://www.hi-lift.com/jacks_main.htm

Buzzard Wing wrote:My mistake.... you can use it as a clamp and a winch but not to 'push' things apart.

What would be different in using it to push things apart and jacking something up other than it might be laying horizontal?

Good point... too many fumes trying to get the hydraulic oil stains off the Cub apparently.

No go with the axles after the 'lectro stew, although they do look nice w/no paint or grease on them

Back to Harbor Freight!

Allen:

Now that they have come out of the tank and look good, it is probably time to go back to the old tried and true method of taking these axles apart.

I tried everything I could think of and every penetrating oil I could lay my hands on. None of them worked. BUT - I finally tried Solvo-Rust from Loctite and now I use it a lot. When Kroil don't do it, SR ceertainly does.

Spray some onto each axle, wait a while and observer the wicking. Keep adding little bits at a time whenever you are near the axle or walking by. After a couple of days, try stretching the axles apart again. Keep them under pressure, add more SR and within a few days they should just pop apart.

Cheers

Rudi I have been looking for that Solvo-Rust by Loctite everywhere in my area and venders look at me funny with a (Never-heered-o-that-stuff-afore) look on there face. What kind of store are you buying yours at in your area?.

Thanks Rudi,

I'll look for some today!

JB:

Now ain't that a switch
Normally it is me who can't find a product.

I get it a Maritime Fasteners. They deal in all of the Loctite products. I will try and remember to bring the can up to the house tonight and I will post the stock numbers. That should help you locate some.

I have seen it in a couple other places, NAPA being one of them. You probably won't find it at PEP Boys or places like that as Canada Trash doesn't carry it nor does Wal-Mart.