Place your bets on inoperable L3350DT front axle...

[CaverDave]

Despite no response in my earlier thread, decided the gamble was worth it to me... and pending daylight operation, have committed to purchase. He's also throwing in: a printed WSM, all the components to convert the pin-on FEL to QA, and packings for the lift cylinders (one has a slight rod seal weep).

Looking at purchasing an L3350DT with Woods DuAl FEL and front axle inoperable... meaning the driveshaft couplings are both good, the "output" spins when in 4WD, but the "input" at axle spins with fingers/no resistance.
Seller is a bud, this was his "keeper", but ended up with 2 others (30 & 65HP) and is pricing as "2WD tractor" in the 7500 range.

Tractor specs:

• All fluids changed
• Three new tire tubes
• Good tires. New seat and battery. I have the grill and headlight assembly, but one of the mounts is broken.
• One set of rear remotes.
• Third function hydraulics on loader.
• Wheel weights
• 2508 hours
• Shuttle shift
• Woods Dual 195 loader

This is the tractor/tool needed for maintaining 88 (very hilly) acres... a mile-ish of gravel driveways/ditches, downed trees, light AG, etc.

My question is what are the next most likely "fuses"/weak links inside the front axle?
Appears parts availability is decent(?) and plan to do the work myself (should have any specialty tools required)

Looking at the exploded, appears the input is direct to the pinion?

As stated by the seller and confirmed by myself:

• the output from the rear spins fine when engaged
• while lightly worn, the splines on the prop shaft and couplers are serviceable
• the input (pinion) of the front axle will spin freely by hand with *NO* detectable gear mesh felt​

This leads me to think the ring and/or pinion is roached?
Unless someone thinks the R&P could be rotated by hand and some other hard parts outboard might also be to blame?

Once it's here, will be opening it up to find out

 

[hagrid]

I got $5 folding cash on squirrel spunk clogging the axle vents at 375:1

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I got $5 folding cash on squirrel spunk clogging the axle vents at 375:1

I want in on that action!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Despite no response in my earlier thread, decided the gamble was worth it to me... and pending daylight operation, have committed to purchase. He's also throwing in: a printed WSM, all the components to convert the pin-on FEL to QA, and packings for the lift cylinders (one has a slight rod seal weep).


As stated by the seller and confirmed by myself:

• the output from the rear spins fine when engaged
• while lightly worn, the splines on the prop shaft and couplers are serviceable
• the input (pinion) of the front axle will spin freely by hand with *NO* detectable gear mesh felt​

This leads me to think the ring and/or pinion is roached?
Unless someone thinks the R&P could be rotated by hand and some other hard parts outboard might also be to blame?

Once it's here, will be opening it up to find out

Unlike smaller models that require you to pull the hub and axle and multiple other parts to get to the guts, this one you pull a couple mounts' and a cover and you'll have your answer staring you in the face.

 

[CaverDave]

Unlike smaller models that require you to pull the hub and axle and multiple other parts to get to the guts, this one you pull a couple mounts' and a cover and you'll have your answer staring you in the face

My assumption was the ends would still need to be disassembled to pull the inner axle shafts out of the side gears, before that removable center section would come out, correct?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

My assumption was the ends would still need to be disassembled to pull the inner axle shafts out of the side gears, before that removable center section would come out, correct?

Well dang, looked at it way too quick, you might be right on the mark with that...

 

[JohnDB]

As stated by the seller and confirmed by myself:

• the output from the rear spins fine when engaged
• while lightly worn, the splines on the prop shaft and couplers are serviceable
• the input (pinion) of the front axle will spin freely by hand with *NO* detectable gear mesh felt​

This leads me to think the ring and/or pinion is roached?
Unless someone thinks the R&P could be rotated by hand and some other hard parts outboard might also be to blame?

Even if all the gearteeth were gone, I'd expect some residual noise/feel and a handful of metal in the oil. Just to broaden the scope, I'll bet that something inside has been removed