Need advice on left side final

[Jim in SC]

I finished up my '59 Cub last week, or so I thought. It was not running when I got it last September, but I solved all the gremlins and it's running like a top now. Yay!

But...

Got a pretty loud "growl" coming from the left side final. All looked good when I changed the final fluid and I managed to stop the bearings from leaking with new seals, but I'm concerned about the obvious noise it makes. Here's my question - I'm pretty good mechanically, not great, but okay. I have access to a hydraulic lift, so I should be able to remove the final without too much problem - I think - however there is no way that I would take on removing the bearings - I think I'm bettor off taking the final to a machine shop and let them remove and press in new bearings.

Any thoughts or advice on this?

[tst]

make sure you do not have any loose wheel mounting bolts, rim center and where the final bolts to the transmission case first

[Jim in SC]

Thanks for the reply. Nope all is tight. I just got through putting it all back together. It's tight. Unfortunately the grinding noise is inside the casing.

[Glen]

Hi,
If it is making a scraping or similar sound, it could just be the brake lining rubbing on the drum.
I have heard them make noise, mostly when first used after sitting.
It quit being noisy after using it a while, until it sat again.

Try pushing the brake pedal when moving, and see if the noise changes.

No need to take it apart if the brake lining is making the noise.

The Cub service manual says the brake pedals should have 7/8" of free play at the upper end of their travel. Each pedal should have a return spring under the platform.

After the brake, the transmission is a common thing that makes noise.

Below is a post from Dale Finch about removing a left final drive for brake repair. It has lots of pics.

viewtopic.php?f=142&t=78436

[Jim in SC]

Thanks Glen. I'll check out the brakes tomorrow and hope that's it! I'm not too confident of that though. The noise is pretty pronounced and sounds like a bad bearing grinding. Thanks also for the link to Dale's project. Good stuff.

I'll update tomorrow after I try the brakes.

[Magnum]

I had a similar issue with the left side final drive. Thought it was maybe a gear or a bad bearing , turns out it was the jam nut on the brake drum came loose and was rubbing on the bearing carrier bolts. The drum inside was just floating around on the shaft . When I first got the cub I tried the brakes out and noticed it had zero brake on the left side .

[Jim in SC]

Magnum, good input, thanks. I can see the jam nut looking in from the rear of the tractor, so it's probably okay, but I"ll double check it. I'm heading out to the barn shortly to check your suggestion and tst's and Glen's.

[Jim in SC]

I drove it around a little this afternoon and have decided to pull the final off and see what's what. Working on it this weekend. I'll take pictures. Might be a good time to check that left side brake anyway.

[Glen]

Got a pretty loud "growl" coming from the left side final. All looked good when I changed the final fluid and I managed to stop the bearings from leaking with new seals, but I'm concerned about the obvious noise it makes.

Hi,
From what you wrote at your first post on this page, I thought you had the final drive off already, and had replaced the seals.

If you haven't had it off, it could have a problem in the brake area.

There is another oil seal behind the brake drum that is not shown in Dale's post, that should be replaced when you remove a final drive. They can leak, and oil can get on the brake lining.
TM Tractor has new seals. The seal in the transmission, and the seal in the final drive are different sizes.

Below is a pic from TM Tractor of the seal in the final drive housing.
That is the style of brake a 1959 Cub originally has, it is the newer style.
IH changed the brakes in 1953.
The brake in Dale's post is the 1st style.

The brake in the pic below is facing how it would be on the right side.
TM Tractor has new brakes also.
The modern oil seals are a different style, they are flat on the side that would be seen in the pic.

[Jim in SC]

Thanks Glen. I'm going to take my time on this, I don't really need the tractor in the near future (my H can fill in). I'm going to remove the wheels one at a time and put new rear tires on first - old ones are badly rotted on the sidewall. Once it has new tires, then I'll get to the left final. I'm only removing one wheel at a time and am wedging the bolster - I surely don't need a roll over!

[Joshua Mitchell]

I rebuilt mine with no experience. Super simple. Don't need a machine shop. Just follow the manual. I had a noise in mine as well but wasn't concerned as I was doing a complete tear down and restoration. I found the oil pan was dented and rubbing. Went ahead and replaced all bearings and seals and straightened pan. Works like new.