Wheel Bolts

[Saucymynx]

It has been a while since I have posted here - I have been happily putting my 140 to work plowing, discing, and hauling! But now I ask for your help again. It seems that the bolts that attach the left rear wheel rim to wheel center have loosened and worn. I removed one, and the threads, though not stripped, are quite worn. My challenge now is finding replacements. The bolts are square head, 5/8 diameter, and approx 2 7/8 inch in overall length. The heads are 15/16 inch square. They are fine-threaded, but I do not know the tpi. There are four per rim. My standby supplier Steiner does not have them. Do any of you know where I could find these bolts and nuts? Thanks!

PS. I did search the forum!

[Don McCombs]

Try Fastenal or McMaster-Carr.

[Saucymynx]

Thanks, Don! M-C has them. Whooda thunk? As usual, an answer leads to more questions:
1. Grade 5 or 8?
2. The bolts at M-C are coarse 11 tpi. The one I removed is fine. Any issue there?

Thanks!

[Don McCombs]

I would say grade 5 would be adequate. I’m sure that’s what the originals are. This may seem a little odd, but if you have a John Deere dealer nearby, take your bolt sizes and see if they have them.

[inairam]

The grading system for bolts I think came out in the early 60s. I have read here the people suspected the early dot and IH bolts were not quite a grade 5 so I agree with Don that a grade 5 is probably fine.

Personally, I would consider this a critical bolt and you do not need a lot of them, I would get a grade 8.

[outdoors4evr]

I'd rather replace a bolt than a rim if things get to moving again. Any wear should occur on the replaceable item.

[Eugene]

If you have a John Deere dealer nearby, take your bolt sizes and see if they have them.

Check with your nearest tractor dealership, any make.

Ask the owner of your local hardware store. In rural areas, they have usually have items that are not in their display cases/bins.

[Super A]

I would say grade 5 would be adequate. I’m sure that’s what the originals are. This may seem a little odd, but if you have a John Deere dealer nearby, take your bolt sizes and see if they have them.

Yep, the last ones I needed came from JD.

As to grade, it's not rocket surgery. You're not putting 150 HP through them, I'd be more worried about having the correct head (square not hex!) than the bolt grade. Just check the tightness a few times after installing them and then forget about it.

Al

[Saucymynx]

Grade 5 it is! Thanks everyone!

[Bill Hudson]

If those bolts are the same size as for a Cub: Rear wheel bolts-square head John Deere Part #08h4465

Bill

[Saucymynx]

Bill, it seems that the Cub bolts are half inch versus five eights inch For the 140. Thanks just the same. I ordered them from McMaster Carr and they will be here tomorrow!

[Saucymynx]

Update: so the bolts came next day from McMaster Carr. Swapping out the first three was easy but the fourth one has me stuck. The recess in the rim for the square head of the bolt is rounded out. And it is so buggered that I can’t even get the bolt out. It looks like I’m going to have to remove the entire wheel. What a pain. I think I will just replace the Rim. It needs a new tire anyways. Another winter project…

[Urbish]

You can remove the head of the bolt by drilling through it. Start small, directly in the center. Work your way up to 5/8". You don't have to drill all the way through the bolt, just the head. Once you're close you might be able to knock the head off with a punch.

[Saucymynx]

Thanks for that idea, Urbish. I will see if i can do that. I might be difficult - the heads of the bolts are on the inside