XUV 885D frame front end straightening

On the John Deere XUV 885D we purchased the trac system to groom trails and gives us mobility during the Winter season . The trouble is there is more mass to move and can be hard on clutches and front ends if your not careful . I don't think this machine  was originally designed for this option . Follow the instructions for use with tracs or you may bend up the lower control arm frame mount. If a curb is hit on front corner of front tracs it WILL bend things up if your going full speed . Last winter one of the guys lost control on ice and dinged the front up pretty good . Tracs DO NOT like ice and recommend not taking it out in very icy conditions . 

Purchased this kit at Princess Auto on sale .169$ ? from 289$ paid for itself on this one repair ten times over . 

My delima lower control arm pushed back twisting framing . Tracs kit has re-reinforcement plating  that bolts on it . Trouble is instead off snapping lower control arm it bends the frame . Right front

Left front looks good but steering is all out of wack and alignment from by temporary repair to keep it grooming .

A few degrees makes a big difference 88.84

impact on front end of trac moved control arm back enough to tip it in at top towards machine.  85.45 

Sleeved  hole in frame I installed grade 8 bolt and washers to push off of . 

Control arm I installed a pieces of angle to hold bar in place . Push slowly and watch mount points to see whats going to move . This worked excellent on this set up . Total control . Pushed it past the point I needed by a degree or 2 for spring back . 

Looking at these holes in control arm framing I decided to add a little more support .

More picks

   

bolted angle iron in and welded the final point . Removable support 

   

Almost done 

  

Looking great

  

Lots of room for skid plates to go back on 

 Alignment next . 

Ends and bar used from kit 

Pressures off . Readings 

I'll take it . 1000% better than tree chain method . 

Lining things up 

Looks great 

Now back to regular service work on her . Highly recommend this kit . It is 10 ton kit and easily moved things back in place .  

Toro HDXD rear wheel bearing (Aftermarket)

We have 3...... 2015  HDXD 600 to 1000 hours .They have gone through many rear wheel bearings .I have never seen these similar type bearing go so quick on other equipment in the past . Hauling heavy loads on paved cart paths with the crazy tight turning abilities of them might be the cause or cheap out sourcing of parts in production . Take your pick . All I know is that they have been changed out twice under warranty and now it's my problem !

Last time I checked a few years ago the OEM bearing was near or over 600.00$ Canadian .Last year looking around I found the local auto choice had them for 153.00 $ but needed some customizing to make it work .Held up for a few seasons and still tight as the day it was put on . 

After checking the last unit on the lift I noticed a little play in one rear OEM bearing AGAIN. Wajax had this bearing for 171.00$ .  

This bearing works with a little customizing . OEM Bearings are front access and these are rear access....so

Metric studs . you will need 12m x 1.75 hub nuts . OEM ones will go one but don't be fooled they are slightly different and will strip out over time . 

  

Drill out just enough to take threads out 

  

Drill a 7/8" hole with carbide hole drill bit . I used a 1 " the first time but I think this will be big enough to get front access .

Off set so your not drilling into flange .Some Timken hubs have flush mounted studs . This one did not so the hub bolt heads may need a slight grind to get better clearance . 

and done .

This ones been on for over 400 hours a record .I even painted it red for my experiment . A little reworking to save 400$ to last longer than the OEM ones .....I'll take my chances .