Idler bracket

[joeturner1977]

I have my 1958 420c undercarriage apart. Does anyone know if the idler bracket is steel or iron? JD part# m1824t & m1823t. The pin bore is worn and I would like to weld and rebore back to size. Had anyone welded these in the past???

[Lavoy]

They are steel, I have welded many of them.
Lavoy

[joeturner1977]

I did a spark test with a grinder. The sparks seem differant on the bracket then on the mild steel sample I was grinding. I just wanted to be sure before welding. Thanks Lavoy

[joeturner1977]

They are steel, I have welded many of them.
Lavoy

Nope, mine are iron. I am talking about the Front Idler Bracket.

I used a MIG welder & spot welded a little on one just to be certian, and the weld sort of sizzled so I stopped and check for hardness with a file. The weld is glass hard and most likely unmachinable. I took a piece of ductile iron from the stock rack and it welded the same (sound & hardness). My guess is the brackets are ductile iron.

I think I will have to silver solder a sleeve into the pin bore instead. Just not sure how to build up the surface that runs on the frame.

Has anyone else repaired these before??? Looking for suggestions.

Otherwise how much are these to replace???

[Lavoy]

That's the ones I was talking about too. I don't know how many of them I have welded and rebored and never had a problem. I used just plain wire, plug weld them shut, and re-drill with a regular bit.
Lavoy

[joeturner1977]

Do you weld up the wear surface as well???

[Lavoy]

Usually the bottom of the bracket does not wear as the pressure is upward. The brackets that bolt under them will wear quite a bit, and I have welded them up. Usually the wear is more toward the inside, and if you run a couple of beads on there, they will get close to original. Grind the weld smooth once you are done, or you could mill it too, but grinding is faster.
Lavoy