So first off, I will address the underlying issue I was having with my L118. Plain and simple, it was hard to steer. However with 404 hours on it, I can understand why the major steering components would need replaced, especially since we are talking about an L series Deere. A highlight on what parts have been previously replaced. I replaced one tie rod 3 years ago when one of the ball joints popped out from serious wear meaning I only had 1 wheel steer. I replaced both my steering gears 2 years ago when I developed lack of steering problems, you literally could turn the steering wheel and the gears just wouldn't mesh. Last year I replaced the right side wheel spindle along with new wheel bushings after dealing with some extreme wear on the spindle, about 3/8" of wear on a 3/4" shaft. :banghead: After examining my L118, I decided it was time something was done to the steering system. My original plan was just to put in a new left side wheel spindle, well lets just say it just kept going from there.
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After removing the left wheel I turned my steering wheel to see where all my steering was having problems. My front axle was flexing forward and backward whenever the wheel was turned which I am sure was not easy on the tie rods or the steering gears. So off came the muffler shields and after having to cut one bolt, the muffler was removed. Being a perfectionist I decided that I was not going to have a muffler held on by only 2 bolts, therefore I ordered a new one. Next I pulled the axle bolt and axle from my L118. It was clear that the axle was a problem.
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My original axle was pretty worn, I had wear marks on either side from where the axle beam had rubbed on the frome for many years, opening up a space for the axle to flex fore and aft. The pivot bushings were shot, I never knew where the pivot grease zerk was and apparently the last 2 owners did not either, the factory grease in the front axle was long gone and it was totally dry. Out came some shiney metal bushings which at this point had even worn on the axle itself. I picked up some new axle bushings and a new axle to replace my old worn one. I also have had a new left wheel spindle on hand for quite a while and replaced the old one as well.
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This picture shows what kind of wear my new wheel bushings had put on my new wheel spindle in one year. Keep in mind this is between 20-30 hours of use with frequent greasing intervals. My new spindle was already developing a lip on the under side and lets just say Deere is very proud of these spindles and I do not want to have to replace them again.
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My solution, ditch the old wheel bushings for some ball bearings. I did not have a part number but after thinking about it I called up Deere and asked if the X300 had ball bearings in the front wheels. Sure enough, it did, so I brought in one of my wheels and a spindle to see if it would work. Needless to say the ball bearings were a perfect fit, they fit the wheel and the spindle. The ball bearings were about $24 but it will definitely be worth it in the long run. You may notice how clean the rim is, I even had people ask if it was a new wheel but no, this one is the original with 404 hours on it. Lets just say I like to keep my Deere clean. :good2:
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I can't forget the new muffler. You can see where I had to cut one of the bolts, it just would not thread out and all 3 need to be removed to pull the muffler to remove the axle. Of course the new muffler was around $50 and I didn't forget to order new bolts as I know they do not come with the muffler.
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This shows my new axle in place with the spindles attached. After the picture was taken I greased the front axle pivot while the muffler was off, it was much easier to see than with the muffler and muffler shield on.
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The finished product, an L118 with an almost completely new front end. Tires were aired up, spindles and wheels were greased, and then came the test drive. It steers a bit easier, but is still hard to steer. I looked over my L118 again to see where my potential problems were and had a couple reference points to go back to. Yesterday I went back to Deere and looked at one of the new D130's. The steering gears operated just like my L118, the larger one flexes up and down on the ends just like mine. However the steering wheel had no vertical play on the D130, my steering wheel can be pulled up and down a good 1/2" at least. I ended up buying the two bushings for the steering shaft, one is right below the steering wheel, the other is down near the steering gears. They were only $8 however they are plastic, so Deere couldn't give you the gold plated price like everything else. :lol: Anyways, I plan to get those replaced here soon, then hopefully my 404 hour L118 will steer like a new one again.
As a side note, I highly recommend replacing the factory wheel bushings with the x300 ball bearings, it will save on parts costs down the road.
More to come as I get to working on the L118 later. :thumbup1gif:
IMG_0471.jpg
After removing the left wheel I turned my steering wheel to see where all my steering was having problems. My front axle was flexing forward and backward whenever the wheel was turned which I am sure was not easy on the tie rods or the steering gears. So off came the muffler shields and after having to cut one bolt, the muffler was removed. Being a perfectionist I decided that I was not going to have a muffler held on by only 2 bolts, therefore I ordered a new one. Next I pulled the axle bolt and axle from my L118. It was clear that the axle was a problem.
IMG_0476.jpg
My original axle was pretty worn, I had wear marks on either side from where the axle beam had rubbed on the frome for many years, opening up a space for the axle to flex fore and aft. The pivot bushings were shot, I never knew where the pivot grease zerk was and apparently the last 2 owners did not either, the factory grease in the front axle was long gone and it was totally dry. Out came some shiney metal bushings which at this point had even worn on the axle itself. I picked up some new axle bushings and a new axle to replace my old worn one. I also have had a new left wheel spindle on hand for quite a while and replaced the old one as well.
IMG_0478.JPG
This picture shows what kind of wear my new wheel bushings had put on my new wheel spindle in one year. Keep in mind this is between 20-30 hours of use with frequent greasing intervals. My new spindle was already developing a lip on the under side and lets just say Deere is very proud of these spindles and I do not want to have to replace them again.
IMG_0477.JPG
My solution, ditch the old wheel bushings for some ball bearings. I did not have a part number but after thinking about it I called up Deere and asked if the X300 had ball bearings in the front wheels. Sure enough, it did, so I brought in one of my wheels and a spindle to see if it would work. Needless to say the ball bearings were a perfect fit, they fit the wheel and the spindle. The ball bearings were about $24 but it will definitely be worth it in the long run. You may notice how clean the rim is, I even had people ask if it was a new wheel but no, this one is the original with 404 hours on it. Lets just say I like to keep my Deere clean. :good2:
IMG_0480.jpg
I can't forget the new muffler. You can see where I had to cut one of the bolts, it just would not thread out and all 3 need to be removed to pull the muffler to remove the axle. Of course the new muffler was around $50 and I didn't forget to order new bolts as I know they do not come with the muffler.
IMG_0485.jpg
This shows my new axle in place with the spindles attached. After the picture was taken I greased the front axle pivot while the muffler was off, it was much easier to see than with the muffler and muffler shield on.
IMG_0487.jpg
The finished product, an L118 with an almost completely new front end. Tires were aired up, spindles and wheels were greased, and then came the test drive. It steers a bit easier, but is still hard to steer. I looked over my L118 again to see where my potential problems were and had a couple reference points to go back to. Yesterday I went back to Deere and looked at one of the new D130's. The steering gears operated just like my L118, the larger one flexes up and down on the ends just like mine. However the steering wheel had no vertical play on the D130, my steering wheel can be pulled up and down a good 1/2" at least. I ended up buying the two bushings for the steering shaft, one is right below the steering wheel, the other is down near the steering gears. They were only $8 however they are plastic, so Deere couldn't give you the gold plated price like everything else. :lol: Anyways, I plan to get those replaced here soon, then hopefully my 404 hour L118 will steer like a new one again.
As a side note, I highly recommend replacing the factory wheel bushings with the x300 ball bearings, it will save on parts costs down the road.
More to come as I get to working on the L118 later. :thumbup1gif: