OldMachinist
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 24, 2006
- Messages
- 2,748
I was doing some routine maintenance the other day and checked the chaincase oil and found it was all milky again. The chaincase cover bolts had come loose again and let water in. Whoever at Bobcat decided that they could put 3/8"-16 self tapping bolts thru 3/16" material and thought they would hold should have their engineering degree revoked. I know others have had the same problem and welded nuts under the lip but I didn't want to do that because of the weld spatter getting in the case. I took some 1/4" x 1" steel and tranfered the bolt holes to them and welded nuts on the back side.
Then I bolted them in place, drilled and countersunk the lip of the case for some 1/4"-20 flat head screws to hold them in place.
To keep the drill chips from getting in the case I masked off the hole and only drilled part way into the new bars. Then vacuumed up the shavings and took the bars over to the drill press to finish drilling and tapping them.
I made a new gasket and installed the cover with plenty of black RTV to seal it.
While I had the chaincase empty I added a proper drain at the rear of the case so next time I could drain it without have to suck out the oil.
Then I bolted them in place, drilled and countersunk the lip of the case for some 1/4"-20 flat head screws to hold them in place.
To keep the drill chips from getting in the case I masked off the hole and only drilled part way into the new bars. Then vacuumed up the shavings and took the bars over to the drill press to finish drilling and tapping them.
I made a new gasket and installed the cover with plenty of black RTV to seal it.
While I had the chaincase empty I added a proper drain at the rear of the case so next time I could drain it without have to suck out the oil.