LX885 final drive sprocket?

[GerryL]

I'm looking for some input from someone who has done this job before. I've got an LX885 and it needs a front final drive sprocket. The inside spline is shot. I put it on blocks today and pulled the axle. I see the sprocket won't come out the side hole as is. The service manual says the gearbox has to be slid in towards the middle for clearance between the double drive sprocket and the bad sprocket. Going further, it says to remove the gearbox one has to tilt the cab,etc for access.
My question is since I'm not actually removing the gearbox, do I still have to tilt the cab? Has anyone done this without tilting? I've lifted the seat and poked around in there; I'm not sure if it's possible. I don't want to go to far yet because if I do have to tilt the cab I'm going to have to put the machine back together and move it some, it's under my overhead door now, no clearance (not to mention no tilting tool kit either). :-(
Another question; does the axle need to be replaced no matter what? So far I've seen no wear on it; I can't feel a step anywhere on the splines. I guess the next thing is to measure the OD of the axle splines and compare to new. And I've certainly got to clean it and flush the bearing; there is a lot of gray fines from the sprocket getting chewed up.
I'd really appreciate any input if you're familiar with this job.
Thanks! -Gerry

 

[mllud]

Gerry
Here are some very well done discriptions on tilting the cab. These are for different models but the procedure is the same.
Re: how do i split the OROPES on a L565
Re: New Holland LS 160 loader
I have tilted the cab without the cab tool kit. I believe all the kit does is has a bracket to hold it in place.I would'nt recomend anyone doing anything unsafe. Use your own judgement on what you read. I tilted mine safetly without the kit.
Tilting the cab isnt that big of a job. And I believe your repairs will require it. I dont know how you could menuever the motor and gear reductoin with the cab down. Everythings heavy and you will be in a awkard position.Theres not much room between the hydraulic motors. [Hearnea]
Tilting the cab gives you wide open access.DONT FORGET TO UNHOOK THE BRAKES IF YOU TILT THE CAB. I dont mean to yell. Its easy to overlook.
I dont know why you would have to replace the axle it its ok. I would inspect it with a micrometer in a place where the sprocket wasnt running and compare it to where it was running. Even slight wear would wear out the new sprocket hub quickly. I have worked on my axle and its very hard steel.
You could slide the new sprocket on the axle. any movement at all would be unacceptable. Slop makes more slop.
I wonder why the sprocket stripped/wore . Is the other one tight? Mike

 

[mllud]

Gerry
Here are some very well done discriptions on tilting the cab. These are for different models but the procedure is the same.
Re: how do i split the OROPES on a L565
Re: New Holland LS 160 loader
I have tilted the cab without the cab tool kit. I believe all the kit does is has a bracket to hold it in place.I would'nt recomend anyone doing anything unsafe. Use your own judgement on what you read. I tilted mine safetly without the kit.
Tilting the cab isnt that big of a job. And I believe your repairs will require it. I dont know how you could menuever the motor and gear reductoin with the cab down. Everythings heavy and you will be in a awkard position.Theres not much room between the hydraulic motors. [Hearnea]
Tilting the cab gives you wide open access.DONT FORGET TO UNHOOK THE BRAKES IF YOU TILT THE CAB. I dont mean to yell. Its easy to overlook.
I dont know why you would have to replace the axle it its ok. I would inspect it with a micrometer in a place where the sprocket wasnt running and compare it to where it was running. Even slight wear would wear out the new sprocket hub quickly. I have worked on my axle and its very hard steel.
You could slide the new sprocket on the axle. any movement at all would be unacceptable. Slop makes more slop.
I wonder why the sprocket stripped/wore . Is the other one tight? Mike

Sorry Gerry back again. I just went out and looked. The gear reduction unbolts from inside the chain box. Then there is a bracket that supports the back of the hydraulic motor.
If you can get the bracket off the hyd. motor maybe you could just unbolt the gear reduction and slide it in enough for the sprocket to clear. I could be missing something. I understand you not wanting to get it half appart and have to go back together.I have had mine all appart but didnt actually do what you are trying to do. Maybe someone else here has. Mike

 

[GerryL]

Sorry Gerry back again. I just went out and looked. The gear reduction unbolts from inside the chain box. Then there is a bracket that supports the back of the hydraulic motor.
If you can get the bracket off the hyd. motor maybe you could just unbolt the gear reduction and slide it in enough for the sprocket to clear. I could be missing something. I understand you not wanting to get it half appart and have to go back together.I have had mine all appart but didnt actually do what you are trying to do. Maybe someone else here has. Mike

Mike, that's some really helpful info. Thanks for posting those links on tilting. I bought a gantry last fall, although we had to cut it apart to get it out of the shop it was in (it was all welded). I guess it may be time to put it back together.
I may poke around in there more today to assess if I can get clearance without tilting. I put the heater in mine, so I'd have to drain/disconnect that too.
Anyone else got any input?
-Gerry

 

[GerryL]

Gerry
Here are some very well done discriptions on tilting the cab. These are for different models but the procedure is the same.
Re: how do i split the OROPES on a L565
Re: New Holland LS 160 loader
I have tilted the cab without the cab tool kit. I believe all the kit does is has a bracket to hold it in place.I would'nt recomend anyone doing anything unsafe. Use your own judgement on what you read. I tilted mine safetly without the kit.
Tilting the cab isnt that big of a job. And I believe your repairs will require it. I dont know how you could menuever the motor and gear reductoin with the cab down. Everythings heavy and you will be in a awkard position.Theres not much room between the hydraulic motors. [Hearnea]
Tilting the cab gives you wide open access.DONT FORGET TO UNHOOK THE BRAKES IF YOU TILT THE CAB. I dont mean to yell. Its easy to overlook.
I dont know why you would have to replace the axle it its ok. I would inspect it with a micrometer in a place where the sprocket wasnt running and compare it to where it was running. Even slight wear would wear out the new sprocket hub quickly. I have worked on my axle and its very hard steel.
You could slide the new sprocket on the axle. any movement at all would be unacceptable. Slop makes more slop.
I wonder why the sprocket stripped/wore . Is the other one tight? Mike

The other spline is pretty tight, not much play. This one was loose when I got; I've had it for 6 years and 5 years ago I did a full service; noticed excessive play there but as I just use it for homeowner duty (light use) I decided to hold off. I kinda forgot about it until 2 nights ago when it really let go.
Gerry

 

[GerryL]

The other spline is pretty tight, not much play. This one was loose when I got; I've had it for 6 years and 5 years ago I did a full service; noticed excessive play there but as I just use it for homeowner duty (light use) I decided to hold off. I kinda forgot about it until 2 nights ago when it really let go.
Gerry

Just an update here, got the job all done. We did it without tilting the cab, probably took 12 hours for a rookie. I could definately shave off 2-3 hours if I had to do it again, although I'd be tempted to cut the hole in the chain case bigger and make a new cover.
-Gerry

 

[mllud]

Just an update here, got the job all done. We did it without tilting the cab, probably took 12 hours for a rookie. I could definately shave off 2-3 hours if I had to do it again, although I'd be tempted to cut the hole in the chain case bigger and make a new cover.
-Gerry

Gerry
Those sprockets are so close to coming out. Its disturbing that new holland didnt give the forthought to give enough room to remove them. Lack of common sense.
Mike