416E, 420E and 430E Backhoe Loaders Axle and Differential Caterpillar

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Personal injury or death can result from sudden machine movement. Sudden movement of the machine can cause injury to persons on or near the machine. To prevent injury or death, make sure that the area around the machine is clear of personnel and obstructions before operating the machine.

This section provides probable causes to known problems. Perform a visual inspection of the machine. Refer to Testing and Adjusting, "Visual Inspection".

Problem List For The Axles and Differential

Problem List For The Axles and Differential

1. There is constant noise in the differential.

2. Noise occurs in the differential at different intervals.

3. Noise only occurs during turns.

4. Lubricant is leaking.

5. The drive wheels do not turn but the universal joint turns.

6. The differential lock will not engage.

Probable Causes to the problems of the Axles and the Differential

Problem 1

There is constant noise in the differential.

Probable causes

1. The level of lubricant is incorrectly high or low.

2. The wrong type of lubricant is being used.

3. Wheel bearings are damaged or improperly adjusted.

4. The ring gear and the pinion do not have correct tooth contact.

5. The ring gear and the pinion are damaged or worn.

6. There is too much pinion to gear backlash or too little pinion to gear backlash.

7. Pinion bearings are loose or worn.

8. Side bearings are loose or worn.

Problem 2

Noise occurs in the differential at different intervals.

Probable causes

1. Ring gear does not run evenly because the bolts on the ring gear are not tight or the ring gear is warped.

2. Differential bearings are loose or broken.

Problem 3

Noise only occurs during turns.

Probable causes

1. Differential pinion gears are too tight.

2. Side gears are too tight in the differential case.

3. Differential pinion gears or side gears are faulty.

4. Thrust washers are damaged or worn.

5. There is too much backlash between the side gears and the pinion gears.

Problem 4

Lubricant is leaking.

Probable causes

1. Loss of lubricant through the axle shafts can be caused by any of the following conditions:

   1. Lubricant is above the proper level.

   2. The wrong type of lubricant is being used.

   3. The oil seal on the axle shaft is worn or installed incorrectly.

2. Loss of lubricant at the pinion shaft can be caused by the following conditions:

   1. Lubricant is above the proper level.

   2. The wrong type of lubricant is being used.

   3. An oil seal on the pinion shaft is worn or installed incorrectly.

Problem 5

The drive wheels do not turn but the universal joint turns.

Probable causes

1. An axle shaft is broken.

2. Ring gear teeth are damaged.

3. The side gear or the differential pinion is broken.

Problem 6

The differential lock will not operate.

Probable causes

1. The solenoid valve for the differential lock has malfunctioned.

   1. Contamination

   2. Electrical fault

   3. Mechanical malfunction

2. The transmission pump pressure is low.

3. There is a mechanical failure in the differential lock.