Cross Member Bolts

[nydozer]

Hi Everyone - Not sure if I have the correct names for the parts but I have a John Deere 350 C dozer and the cross member bolts (4 of them on each side) were loose and had started elongating the holes and also allowing the connection point to lift of the rails when the dozer was driven. We have since pulled the tracks and removed the bolts and ordered the oversized shims from John Deere. The new shims fit in the holes perfect except they are about a 1/4" too long? It seems like the best bet would be to grind off the bottom of the shim so it will allow the bolt to tighten the two together for a solid connection.

Seems strange the shim is too long but if it is not cut / ground down then it will still allow for some movement. Any thoughts why the shims would be slightly too long from the factory? We are probably over thinking this but hoping somebody has seen this before.

Thanks for the help.

[LeonardL]

Your bushings are meant to be longer as they allow the track frame to move a little. If the holes in the cross member are worn, you can run a bead of weld around the hole to build it back up. If you didn't notice, there are two larger bolts on the inside of the track frame that will have this style of bushing as well. The bolts and bushings are much larger than the ones out on the cross member.
Deere... for some reason, thought these frames needed to move a little. Perhaps for track shock or vibration, I was never sure why they did this. Later model machines have done away with this concept and the bolt directly to the track frame.
Some folks have just welded the cross member to the track frame and seem to have good luck with doing it. I personally wouldn't do that or recommend the procedure.
Others have welded the bushings in place on the cross member and did away with the movement all together. Thus making them more like their later model cousins. I would come closer to doing that than I would welding the cross member to the track frame.
If you need to weld the holes up a little or if you decide to weld the bushings in place, you will need to use a good rod for the weld. The cross member is made of "Malleable Cast Steel" and I always use a MR-7018 DC rod. You can use the AC version as well.
I hope this has answered your question, perhaps some of these other guys will have something else to add as well. Good luck and have fun!!

[JWB Contracting]

Yes, you will need to grind them down until they are flush.

Also check the two bolts that come from the inside of the front cross member to the track frame.

I'm at the same point in my own 350C Dozer. How much we're the oversize bushings? I had planned in getting some made at a machine shop.

If you plan on working the crawler, I would also weld the crossmember and track frame together on the outside edge. This is a normal upgraded needed if putting them to heavy use. My dad also uses new high grade bolts on his working machines any time he has them apart. Only replace the cross member bolts with those of the same length. I think your suppose to grease them as well as the get rusty on the inside of the track frame and you will end up twisting them off if you need to disassemble down the road.

You may also want to check the mounting bolts on the rear cross member and all of the frame bolts while you have the tracks off. Go over all the bolts and make sure there tight. It is not uncommon to find broken bolts between the reverser and frame sections.