LH Drive Axle Bearing for 80 Sportfire

[jdsledder]

Is the LH bearing (speedometer side) on the track drive axle a special bearing for a 1980 Fire Series sleds. The JD part number is JD9335, the RH drive axle bearing has part number M69015. The M69015 is your typical 1" ID with radius OD edges which can be obtained almost anywhere. Why is the left hand bearing a different part number does it have a smaller ID? I have removed my drive axle from my 1980 sportfire to perform a liquifire track conversion. The LH end of the drive shaft may be worn, because the bearing was very very loose on the axle shaft. I installed a new 1" ID bearing and it was still way to loose. Then I installed a metric 25 mm ID bearing and it was still loose. Also it looks like the LH end of the shaft is tapered like a cone. From what I have described does it sound like the LH side of my drive axle is worn beyond repair. I would appreciate any comments from somebody who has recently replaced the track drive axle bearings on a Fire series sled

[Kulture Vulture]

I am going to perform the swap also. When I pulled the LF shaft, it had identical bearings on both sides.

[JoeRainville]

jdsledder,

I believe the drive axle bearings should be identical dimentionally. It does sound like your drive shaft is worn. You could get it welded and turned down or sleaved, but finding another one is probably cheaper and easier.

What is defferent is that around 81 or 82 Deere put a bearing on the LF side of the drive shaft that has a hole in the outer race to allow grease to flow into the bearing from a zerk fitting on the flange.

I hope this helps,
-Rainville

[AirborneX4Special]

I thought the greaseable flanges started in 83. I'll look at my 81's and 82 again, but I don't think they have grease fittings. My 82 has the grease fitting on the steering post that arrived in 82. Irregardless, the grease is supposed to keep water and thus rust out of the bearing / speedo drive but I don't think the bearing race is drilled for grease. I have not torn one apart to verify, however; perhaps someone out there has.?

[kenwaters]

AX4S,

The tech editor Joe Rainville and I have verified this in the past, that is why Joe stated "82 Deere put a bearing on the LF side of the drive shaft that has a hole in the outer race to allow grease to flow into the bearing from a zerk fitting on the flange". If you still doubt it, please check part number JD9335 at a parts dealership.