MF5455 4wd issue

[GmB]

Afternoon all, got a nasty banging noise when 4wd is engaged, sounds like the 4wd jumping in and out, the same noise you get if you disengage the 4wd with a large amount of steering lock on, any ideas where to start looking?
Getting a little fed up now, this is breakdown number 3 in as many months.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Bearing on shaft ok?

 

[Iogijones]

Check all nuts on wheels are tight

 

[Southmec32]

Check front pivot for wear. It may have stripped the front 4wd coupling onto the pinion

 

[GmB]

Shaft bearing, axle u/j’s and shaft splines all look good, all wheel nuts tight, pivot greased every 50hrs, loader fitted, and feels tight when you rock it. In 2wd, nothing sounds amiss with the front axle. I thought it was the damper plate at first, but as the noise is only there in 4wd, I don’t think it is.

 

[MF CI]

How and when did this start?

 

[GmB]

Started last week whilst hauling silage bales, only made the odd knock, but has got worse since

 

[Charolais cattle]

take 4 wd shaft off and see how you get on,,,

 

[MF CI]

Started last week whilst hauling silage bales, only made the odd knock, but has got worse since

You're hauling bales with the 4wd engaged?
Need much more accurate details of when it's banging to be able to help.

 

[GmB]

Yes,4wd engaged backing up a slight incline whilst turning and it banged. It seems to occur when the 4wd is being needed, i.e carrying bales or whilst braking with a trailer on the back, 4wd automatically engages with the brakes

 

[MF CI]

Yes,4wd engaged backing up a slight incline whilst turning and it banged. It seems to occur when the 4wd is being needed, i.e carrying bales or whilst braking with a trailer on the back, 4wd automatically engages with the brakes

Always tough to diagnose on the Internet but I would have a look at the drive shaft and it's couplers. Does it bang only when turning or also when driving straight?

 

[Cocomac]

Would say your first place to look would be the shaft couplers then check axle pivot for play (doesn’t seem to matter how regularly greased they are the still wear out eventually). If they’re both alright you’ll need to check 4wd is engaging properly by jacking up one front wheel and seeing if it turns. In 2wd it should turn freely in 4wd I should lock up you’ll need to have the handbrake off to test it. If it’s only engaging sometimes you could have an electrical fault, the switch wears out over time. If that doesn’t work I would think it would be the 4wd pack. I’ve done both the pack and the diff on mine also had a new switch.

 

[MF CI]

Would say your first place to look would be the shaft couplers then check axle pivot for play (doesn’t seem to matter how regularly greased they are the still wear out eventually). If they’re both alright you’ll need to check 4wd is engaging properly by jacking up one front wheel and seeing if it turns. In 2wd it should turn freely in 4wd I should lock up you’ll need to have the handbrake off to test it. If it’s only engaging sometimes you could have an electrical fault, the switch wears out over time. If that doesn’t work I would think it would be the 4wd pack. I’ve done both the pack and the diff on mine also had a new switch.

When the tractor is stationary it's in 4wd even when the light is off, you need a forward speed signal to disengage 4wd.

 

[Topper125]

Thread 'MF drivetrain bang when 4wd disengages'
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/mf-drivetrain-bang-when-4wd-disengages.408379/

Possibly something in here could help?

 

[Cocomac]

When the tractor is stationary it's in 4wd even when the light is off, you need a forward speed signal to disengage 4wd.

Not on any 5400 I’ve ever worked on. Could do with newer ones I don’t know.

 

[MF CI]

Not on any 5400 I’ve ever worked on. Could do with newer ones I don’t know.

I only know from 3000 up to 62 / 82 can't understand why they would change it.
If anyone is interested it all started with the very first 3000 series, when stopped ie no oil pressure and no electric the 4wd is engaged by a big belliville spring. Those in cold climates who parked on hills found that when the tractor was started the 4wd would disengage and the tractor could and sometimes would slide down the hill.
The autotronic was updated so no matter what the 4wd light said it would only disengage when it got a forward speed signal, ie tractor moving.

 

[Cocomac]

Possibly different on 5400 as they dotn all have ground radar? Who knows, I blame the French

 

[GmB]

take 4 wd shaft off and see how you get on,,,

Can this be done without taking the front axle off?
@MF CI, also bangs when driving in a straight line if the front axle is being worked, i.e carrying on front loader or hard braking whilst going down a hill with the trailer on the back full of bales.
Have taken Mrs GmB to Yorkshire for a week, so I’ll have a proper look at the shaft and couplings when I get back next week.

 

[GmB]

Thread 'MF drivetrain bang when 4wd disengages'
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/mf-drivetrain-bang-when-4wd-disengages.408379/

Possibly something in here could help?

Interesting read, thanks.

 

[oilcan]

Afternoon all, got a nasty banging noise when 4wd is engaged, sounds like the 4wd jumping in and out, the same noise you get if you disengage the 4wd with a large amount of steering lock on, any ideas where to start looking?
Getting a little fed up now, this is breakdown number 3 in as many months.

Had a tapping noise from my 4345 and proved to be a worn track rod ball joint.