D17 Wheel Eccentrics Slipping

My D17 IV has one wheel with the single bolt type clamp, and the other with the older 2 bolt eccentrics.  I had started a thread a few weeks ago thinking the single bolt side was making noise, however, it turns out it is actually the eccentric-style side that is slipping and clunking.  My only defense is I am deaf in one ear and 1/2 deaf in the other, so every sound I hear always semms like it is coming from the side of my good ear.  Drives my wife nuts.  Anyway, it turns out the eccentrics aren't gripping, and that wheel is moving and clunking within the stops.

All the eccentrics are free, and I made sure they were all fully tight, but they still slip on the guide rails.  Is there a wear piece internally or something?  If so, can I remove each eccentric assembly one at a time while at the top, without having to remove the entire wheel?  They are not totally loose, but don't hold that great either.  Also, will it hurt to just run them this way for a while, with the stop taking up most of  the tractive force of the wheel?  I'll be doing some plowing with the tractor soon, so they will be getting a full workout. 

Mack,

Thanks for the reply.  So what would be the fix?  New eccentrics?

Gary wrote: I would disassemble all 4 eccentrics and make sure the little bar is not missing or broken.   Gary

Yes, I would do this, then also you can build them up a small amount with welding them, You will have to remove the entire wheel, and all 8 bolts holding the ecentrics on to remove them safely.

Also you could advertise on here for the proper wheel center to match the other side, that would be the easy fix. the rim will work on either one.

Thanks for all of the excellent input on this.  I like the idea of finding a new single bolt style center hub, and think I might have a line on one from a local salvage yard. 

If not, I might try to pull the eccentrics and either weld them up, or put a small metal strip in to allow them to tighten.  The rails seem to be fine with square edges and no wear at the contact points.  This is a relatively recent problem, so I suppose everything was rusted up a bit before, but broke loose recently, so I am catching the problem early. 

One last thing, if I build up the eccentrics, can I safely remove them one at a time if they are at the top of the wheel, then replace each one, rotate the wheel and do the next, etc? 

Id think if you did one at a time you would be ok

I use this 'Recreational White'

D-17_Dave,

Yes, the stop bolts are in place.  I assume it worked loose because the eccentrics were rusted up internally, then broke loose finally as I used the tractor (I only got it last summer, and it has had only moderate use). 

Now I have another minor problem.  I found a single bolt center with clamps from a salvage yard, and after painting the center, will need to change out the tire.  Problem is, the loader is on the D17, so I'm going to have to change everything out without access to any lifting.  The tires are 18.4 and filled with ballast, so I would prefer that they not fall on top of me.  I'm trying to come up with a plan to safely change out the center wheel without the risk of the tire falling over, and without access to a loader.

Any suggestions from those who have done this before?

Lay out ALL of your current cam lock inserts against a new one; if they are worn, it will be very visible on the thickness at the center.