Noob - first post - be gentle. I bought this LS160 with ~800hr in '06. Moved to a dirtier environment (sand/dust) a few years agon and it gets used a bit more (land clearing). Now the boom is getting sloppy and noisy (especially the upper links), so I bought new bushings. I have the left upper link off the unit and have replaced one of the bushings. I thought the pin would be a tight fit with the new bushing, but it doesn't seem to be a whole lot better than the old. So now I'm wondering if the pins are worn? On the other hand, the old bushing doesn't look much different than the new. How to test? Are there micrometer specs I can use? Should I be able to push the pin thru the bushing with my fingers and spin it? It seems to rock/wiggle just a bit less in the new bushing than it does the old. Are there thicker bushings available - or am I stuck spending 123 bux ea. for new pins? I'm leary of used pins ... but I really don't have a grand+ to throw at this. Any alternatives or workarounds? Should I at least replace the bushings and be happy until I can find the scratch for new pins? Will this help mitigate any further wear or will I just tear up the new bushings? Is this the proper forum for these questions? Why can't I format this post?
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I see thirty veiws on this thread - but no replies. I realize this may be Skid Steer 101 questions - and maybe they're even answered somewhere else on this forum, but I looked for such answers and didn't see them. So I asked.
Can someone just tell me how snug the pins should be in the bushing? Should I be able to spin it by hand?
Anyone?
Can someone just tell me how snug the pins should be in the bushing? Should I be able to spin it by hand?
Anyone?
My upper links are getting noisy also and it seems to be length wear rather than diameter. I think I will make a take up washer to slip in there and if that doesn't work make a new bushing from 4140. I could make the pins also if needed, I am sure the original ones are hardened but for my use I cant see spending that much. Check with a local shop to see about having parts made but 123 for a hardened taper fit pin is not too bad when you consider labor cost.I see thirty veiws on this thread - but no replies. I realize this may be Skid Steer 101 questions - and maybe they're even answered somewhere else on this forum, but I looked for such answers and didn't see them. So I asked.
Can someone just tell me how snug the pins should be in the bushing? Should I be able to spin it by hand?
Anyone?
With the right gear anything can be made.My upper links are getting noisy also and it seems to be length wear rather than diameter. I think I will make a take up washer to slip in there and if that doesn't work make a new bushing from 4140. I could make the pins also if needed, I am sure the original ones are hardened but for my use I cant see spending that much. Check with a local shop to see about having parts made but 123 for a hardened taper fit pin is not too bad when you consider labor cost.
I just don't know if there are bushings in the arms, you can replace the pins, but if there are no bushings, it will still move around due to wear. You can make new pins out of 4140 as Jerry said, it's exellent for pins and bushings, especially if you get them heat treated, they will almost last forever, they get a super hard outer skin, but a soft centre.
If you have a lathe or a mate with one, you can machine new pins for far less than that. The last lot i bought was about $30/m for 1 1/4" centreless ground bar.
Thank you for the replies, tho I wish someone with experience would chime in regarding the fit of the pin in the bushing - and how tight it should be. Or - what the micrometer specs are of a new pin (2 3/8" ... I know. But that doesn't tell me how much my pins have lost in thousands).My upper links are getting noisy also and it seems to be length wear rather than diameter. I think I will make a take up washer to slip in there and if that doesn't work make a new bushing from 4140. I could make the pins also if needed, I am sure the original ones are hardened but for my use I cant see spending that much. Check with a local shop to see about having parts made but 123 for a hardened taper fit pin is not too bad when you consider labor cost.
The wear on my pins is also on the length and that's what causes all the noise... but not necessarily the lateral movement on the boom.
I made some washers out of nylon to go between the pin head and the link and am now in the process of changing out the bushings. The upper links are done and I'm halfway thru the lowers. I may use some of the same nylon to bolster the wear strip along the sides of the cab to remove some of the room for lateral movement (the wear strip never seems to 'wear' - but I suppose it may and I just don't see it).
I'll post some pics later tonight and will keep this thread posted with results over time.
