UPDATED: 317 needs new front bearings. Came apart again. Missing two washers. Both sides.

hawkman317 · Apr 17, 2021

Short-story: Front-left wheel bearing gone.

Looking for a little advice, and/or diagrams.
Do I have to go to the JD dealership for the bearings or a good parts/bearing store?
Shouldn't that cap bolt be left-threaded on the left side?
There is some definite wear around the perimeter of the caps on both hubs (L&R). Doesn't look good. Maybe from being run on bad bearings in the past?
She's new to me.
(The photos are from last week. Post more later)

rwmeyer · Apr 17, 2021

Hawm, go to: https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/ and type "317" in model search. Scroll though results and you'll find the needed diagrams & part numbers... for EVERY part on your 317! Bob

hawkman317 · Apr 17, 2021

Thanks. I'll check there. All I could read on the bearing was the manufacturer and location.

Frogmore · Apr 17, 2021

Not sure what the 318 uses, but beware there is a difference between 25mm and 1" bearings. A 1" bearing will fit on a 25mm axle, but not work properly. A 25mm bearing won't fit on a 1" axle, unless it is worn. If your axle is worn and the proper bearing is loose, Loctite makes an adhesive for that. I have not tried it yet, but it looks really interesting.

Retaining Compounds

Ensure bearings, bushings and parts are secured to eliminate loosening, corrosion, backlash and wear with LOCTITE® retaining compounds.

www.henkel-adhesives.com

CantKeepUp · Apr 17, 2021

Right hand threads are correct. Since the bearing inner race does not spin, there is no need for left hand threads.

hawkman317 · Apr 17, 2021

CantKeepUp said:
Right hand threads are correct. Since the bearing inner race does not spin, there is no need for left hand threads.

I think the failed inside bearing caused the wheel to sag/wobble, putting pressure on the plate/cap and bolt, causing it to spin out.

dave_r · Apr 17, 2021

There are typically part numbers of the side of the bearings, that you can take to a bearing shop to get the same ones. And I would suggest taking the original bearings with you, as for some of the common bearing sizes, they have both a metric i.d. version and an sae i.d. version.

Frogmore · Apr 17, 2021

You might want to read this (or maybe you prefer to be blissfully unware)

Snow Plow Fiasco + John Deere 400 Wheel Bearings...

Was snow plowing with my 1975 John Deere 400..... http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/000/0/4/41-john-deere-400.html My serial on the tractor is around 30,000. It's the FRONT EXHAUST TYPE early models. ....last week & i looked down and the wheel was on sideways (INNER left side wheel...

www.mytractorforum.com

Yes, I know the 400 is not the same as the 317. The bearings that JD Parts lists are the ones for 1" axles (instead of 25mm axles, or slightly greater than 1" axles).

If the bearings are the original bearings, you can use the part number off of them to select replacements. I spent a lot of time researching this issue for my X534. I ended up buying them from JD. They were not a huge amount extra and I felt they would likely be better. I have not installed them yet, so I don't know if that was a good choice or not. The ones on it now rotate on the axle shaft, so they have probably worn it down as some.

modeere318 · Apr 17, 2021

Frogmore said:
Not sure what the 318 uses, but beware there is a difference between 25mm and 1" bearings. A 1" bearing will fit on a 25mm axle, but not work properly. A 25mm bearing won't fit on a 1" axle, unless it is worn. If your axle is worn and the proper bearing is loose, Loctite makes an adhesive for that. I have not tried it yet, but it looks really interesting.

Retaining Compounds

Ensure bearings, bushings and parts are secured to eliminate loosening, corrosion, backlash and wear with LOCTITE® retaining compounds.

www.henkel-adhesives.com

All 317's uses the same bearing in the front rim as the 318 up to serial number 372595 on the 318. JD number is AM102605

Frogmore · Apr 17, 2021

That, I believe is the standard 1" bearing not the 25mm one. They are a standard bearing, but the snap ring is not on all bearings, but still easy to find.

modeere318 · Apr 17, 2021

Frogmore said:
That, I believe is the standard 1" bearing not the 25mm one. They are a standard bearing, but the snap ring is not on all bearings, but still easy to find.

You are correct. Many of the older tractors used these, not just John Deere. A common bearing found in many places.

hawkman317 · Apr 25, 2021

When I went to the dealer, I brought him everything I had on the axle - which was a bolt, "cap", and wheel (I brought the one with both intact bearings into the store). I said, this is all I have on either side of the tractor. What do I need? He ordered me two bearings. I received them Tuesday night and put the bearings in. They went in nicely. I put the wheels back on the tractor, and mowed my 1.25-acre yard. Driving back to the house, I noticed my left front wobbling again. Inside bearing completely out of the wheel! The cap and bolt were still there this time.

I took a look at the exploded parts diagram and see that there are two washers shown that neither side of my tractor has: (refer to exploded diagram below)

#3: a 13/32" x 5/4" x 0.120" washer (outside of wheel, between end cap and wheel/bearing)
#7: a 'three-wave' washer (inside, between the tractor and wheel/bearing)

I had three guys at the JD parts counter looking at this for me and couldn't figure it out when I ordered. (That and something else about my mower deck). Crazy.

I blame myself b/c if I had looked carefully at the diagram again ahead of time, I'd have asked them about it.

I'm assuming that without the space occupied by these washers, the cap comes in contact with the hub, which forces the bolt loose on the left side (b/c it's not left-threaded). Eventually, the bearing works its way out.

CantKeepUp · Apr 25, 2021

Hmmm...maybe, but it still doesn't feel right to me. Wondering if you did get the wrong size bearings or if the wheels are worn or something.

hawkman317 · Apr 26, 2021

CantKeepUp said:
Hmmm...maybe, but it still doesn't feel right to me. Wondering if you did get the wrong size bearings or if the wheels are worn or something.

The bearings went in as tight as any bearing I've ever put in. There must be a purpose for the two washers that were missing. I believe that is why I've seen the wear from the caps on the hubs. (see first post)

UPDATED: 317 needs new front bearings. Came apart again. Missing two washers. Both sides.

hawkman317

rwmeyer

hawkman317

Frogmore

Retaining Compounds

CantKeepUp

hawkman317

dave_r

Frogmore

Snow Plow Fiasco + John Deere 400 Wheel Bearings...

modeere318

Retaining Compounds

Frogmore

modeere318

hawkman317

CantKeepUp

hawkman317

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