bluox wrote:

This is proof there are no free lunches.
Just for fun the next time you are around that tractor pull the plugs on that final and see what might be going on in there.
I'm going to bet there is no oil in there but remains to see how much damage.
Bob

Bob - why would you think there's no oil in the final?  Are the bearings lubricated by the final drive oil?

Thanks

Scott

Yep...

With the bellow seal damaged, the final oil would leak out and dirt will go into final. If it was run long in its current condition the final could be in bad shape.
For replacement parts the stuff inside final and sprocket hub are only used on 53A. The sprocket, the bellow seals and everything outboard of sprocket is D7, 3T and 17A.
Do you know if steering clutches are dry or wet type? Early were dry, but could be converted to wet. Wet will have dip stick, breather filter and fill plug in the cover over each steering clutch compartment, under the seat.

brian18a wrote:

With the bellow seal damaged, the final oil would leak out and dirt will go into final. If it was run long in its current condition the final could be in bad shape.
For replacement parts the stuff inside final and sprocket hub are only used on 53A. The sprocket, the bellow seals and everything outboard of sprocket is D7, 3T and 17A.
Do you know if steering clutches are dry or wet type? Early were dry, but could be converted to wet. Wet will have dip stick, breather filter and fill plug in the cover over each steering clutch compartment, under the seat.

 

Gotcha.  I'll check the oil level on the finals when I'm out there next.

I think it's got dry clutches but I need to crack open the OMI before I'm out there next time so I know exactly what I'm looking for. 

When you refer to the steering clutch compartments under the seat, these are the ones that you access by removing the plates on the back of the machine, right? 

Thanks

Long day today.

The final drive on the right (one with the damaged bearing housing) looked empty and dusty.  Edit - @bluox called it. Anyway it appears that one of the bellow seals let go and the oil drained out and let some dust in. I didn't think to remove the drain plug, but I will at some point this week. Need to confirm the final drive was completely empty and see if there are any broken bits sitting at the bottom, but this was definitely a discouraging development.

Got the serial number on the engine -- 53A1747 -- and looked for a serial number on the machine but just found two rivets with no tag and nothing stamped in that area. I'd be surprised if it wasn't the original engine, but don't know how to confirm with nothing stamped on the machine.

Confirmed that track pitch is 8".

Still not sure on parts prices and availability, but hope to make some progress on that this week.

If I do end up doing the job, it really needs to be on concrete, with a forklift available, in the shade. It was 95 today, and it's not going to cool off anytime soon.

More pics to follow.

Thanks for all the input.

The seal didn't let go, the bearing failed, thereafter the seal would not work, so know doubt there is some internal damage to gears etc.
Wombat.

bulletpruf wrote:

bluox wrote:

This is proof there are no free lunches.
Just for fun the next time you are around that tractor pull the plugs on that final and see what might be going on in there.
I'm going to bet there is no oil in there but remains to see how much damage.
Bob

Yes, I think this is going to get expensive.  I'll do a more detailed inspection the next time I'm out there to see what else is going on.

Anyone know where I might source the necessary parts?  Is it likely that Caterpillar has much of what I need?  If not, is there a good site for aftermarket bits? 

Scott

 

Scott, I just use the parts manual and search for the part number on either parts.cat.com or Ebay. Surprisingly, sometimes the parts are cheaper directly from Cat. It doesn't hurt that the Nashville Cat dealership is 15 mins from my house! Its also surprising how many old parts Cat still stocks for these old machines.

ksliger wrote:

bulletpruf wrote:

bluox wrote:

This is proof there are no free lunches.
Just for fun the next time you are around that tractor pull the plugs on that final and see what might be going on in there.
I'm going to bet there is no oil in there but remains to see how much damage.
Bob

Yes, I think this is going to get expensive.  I'll do a more detailed inspection the next time I'm out there to see what else is going on.

Anyone know where I might source the necessary parts?  Is it likely that Caterpillar has much of what I need?  If not, is there a good site for aftermarket bits? 

Scott

 

Scott, I just use the parts manual and search for the part number on either parts.cat.com or Ebay. Surprisingly, sometimes the parts are cheaper directly from Cat. It doesn't hurt that the Nashville Cat dealership is 15 mins from my house! Its also surprising how many old parts Cat still stocks for these old machines.

Thanks for the input!  

Scott

Latest video is up in case anyone is interested.

Here's a little food for thought.
If you attempt to repair the finals the steering clutches have to come out.
If the bearings bores in the tub are bad you will have to have someone weld and machine them.
you will have to hire someone to press the sprocket and dead axle.
How about you check the transmission filters?
The tracks are on their last leg.
Maybe you should rename your video "how not to buy an old tractor".
Good luck
Bob