Tie Rod End Field Repair Kama 554

[3RRL]

I thought to share this story with you.
I got stuck about a year and a half ago, while trying to push in some new trails. In doing so, there were a million rocks and boulders I loosened up and had to get out of the way. With bucket full of dirt and rocks, I backed out over some smaller boulders when suddenly I lost all steering? I looked down to see the front wheels looking back at me cross-eyed. I jumped off the tractor to see what happened and found the left tie rod end ball joint had sheared off.

It left me stranded on a section of my property in the middle of the woods. Luckily, I always carry a bunch of tools on the Kama 554, so I took it off right where I was by using the bucket and fel to push the front wheels up. Then I radioed Loretta to come and get me.
When I got to my workshop at the property, I took it apart.



The ball joint shaft had broken in two.
I figured out what happened when backing out over the boulders.... I got the wheels to straddle a couple of big ones and they (the wheels) were being wedged apart. It was too much for the shaft.
Here's a close up of the broken shaft and ball.



Rob-

[3RRL]

This picture shows how rocky the terrain is where I'm trying to push in a new trail. The whole area is like that. Trying to avoid the rocks and boulders was not easy. Even cutting on what looked "smooth" soon revealed rocks underneath.




Anyway, I figured I had no choice but to try to fix it. Otherwise I would be stuck for who knows how long?
I decided to try and arc weld the pieces back together. If I got good enough penetration, the weld should be just as strong as the parent material. I ground big chamfers on the 2 pieces and fixtured them together in my big grinding vise. I tacked it all around first at a pretty hot setting, then ran a good bead all around with 6011 rod and filled the rest of the chamfer with 7018 rod.

[3RRL]

Then I ran my bench grinder and tried to "fake in" the original shape to match what it used to look like. In doing so, I recalled that the hole in the front wheel casting had some play in it so I was not too concerned that it needed to be centerless ground and fit perfectly. Looks like it's gonna work for me.
After trying the fit into the ball joint cup, I re-assembled the whole thing, including the rubber grease boot. Now I was pretty sure it would work like new. The part that is repaired is inside the casting where the Zerk fitting is.
The other thread pointing down screws into the steering tie rod itself.




I asked Loretta to give me a lift back to the woods where the tractor was. I started to put everything back together again and eye balled the "toe-in". Then cinched up all the nuts, bolts and cotter pins and then greased it some more. Here is what it looks like back on the tractor. I was able to keep working for 2 more days until it was time to go home. I finished all the rest of the trail work and rock moving.
I was really glad I could fix it at camp, man.



Unfortunately, about a month later I broke the same tie rod end right at the weld. Apparently I didn't make as good a weld as I thought. On the other hand, I had the presence of mind to order some spares from Chip at Artrac. He had them in stock and shipped a couple out to me, so I had a spare on hand for that repair.
Rob-