Lining up bolt holes in front crossbar

vlyberg · Post by **vlyberg** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 5:26 pm

I have a JD 350B that has all 6 bolts that run up through the front crossbar into the frame assembly are either broken or missing. My question is how do you line up the holes between the two. Right now the holes are about 1/4" off. I replaced these a couple years ago but cant remember how i did it. I believe i placed a block of wood between the 6 way blade and the front idler and moved it back. Tried this today and nothing budged. Does tractor need to be jacked up? Ice and snow stopping it from moving? Or am i remembering wrong. Need this fixed before i weld the rear crossbar, any ideas?

lurch85 · Post by **lurch85** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:00 pm

Ive been watching this post for a while to see what people come up with.. nothing yet.
I know in the past I've used combinations of bar clamps, come-a-longs, C clamps, chisels and wood pieces used as wedges, prybars, jacks used as spreaders, and other jerry rigged things.
Here's hoping one of the above is and idea that works that you haven't thought of yet. Merry Christmas!

JWB Contracting · Post by **JWB Contracting** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 2:29 pm

The first step is to remove the broken bolts. This can become a very large task. There is a mounting block on the right side of the reverser that can be removed to make removing the broken bolts easier. However the ones in the reverser often require removal of the reverser and often drilling and re tapping to the next larger size.

It is very critical for all bolts to be installed properly, we often use new high grade bolts, maximum length and also weld a piece of round bar accross the bolt heads so they cannot come loose.

original possum · Post by **original possum** » Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:52 pm

It may be a little more work, but try to remove the side frames and replace the captive nuts while you can. You can make new nut cages out of angle iron. JD is proud of their grade eight square nuts, but they are worth it. Take off one side at a time and you don't have to remove the nose. Pull all the bolts out and jack up the front of the tractor to get the side frame out. Replace the clutch bushing while you are in there.

vlyberg · Post by **vlyberg** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:48 am

I worked on the dozer again this morning. Trying to align the bolt holes through the front cross bar up into the bottom of the reverser. The front crossbar either has to move 1/4" forward or the reverser ect. needs to move back. Placed a block of wood between the front idler and the blade and pushed back, this only made it worse. I have done this before and the solution was simple just cant remember how i did it, i know it didn't involve removing any major parts.

JWB Contracting · Post by **JWB Contracting** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 1:55 pm

Is this the second time you have had to replace the bolts?

If you haven't got a lot of use or severe use then you may have other issues such a broken frame sections and or problems with the rear crossbar. If everything is not perfect then a small unfixed issue results in very little use between rebuilds.

Loosening the frame sections and rear cross bar to final drive caps may help. Frame sections, front cross bat and reverser all need to lined up. You could also remove the front crossmember to track frame bolts.

vlyberg · Post by **vlyberg** » Wed Jan 01, 2014 12:11 pm

I got it fixed, placed 2 jacks against the rear crossbar cap to the back of the front crossbar and moved it into place. Previous owner had reduced the bolt holes from 3/4 to 5/8 with heilicoils, I drilled and tapped it to 7/8". I Just removed the rear crossbar , i will be welding up the blown out part of the bar as well as the housing on the track frame. This should take care of the problem.

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