Axle shaft 210-5946 CAT, aftermarket

Axle shaft 210-5946 is an aftermarket part for the Caterpillar backhoe loaders.

Front and rear axle shafts work under different loads: on backhoe loaders the rear axle carries most of the bucket load, so twisting and spline wear are more common on the rear shafts. A shaft with stepped or cracked splines is renewed, since a welded or straightened shaft can break again under load. Sudden grip after wheelspin is one of the hardest conditions for axle shafts, so the differential lock and throttle are used carefully on slippery ground.

Specifications

Compatibility

According to the product card, Caterpillar 210-5946 (461-6187, 414311) is an axle shaft of Caterpillar backhoe loaders. Other parts are in Axle shafts, propshafts and U-joints.

Fitting

For the change, remove the wheel and planetary gearbox and drain the axle oil. Slide the new shaft carefully into place with its splines lubricated with clean axle oil, using a protective sleeve so the splines do not damage the seal lips. Renew the seals and O-rings and top up the axle oil to level. The shaft comes new; check its splines and bearing surfaces before fitting. Also inspect the other shaft in the axle and the universal joint for wear. When the axle shaft is changed, check the splines of the differential side gear and the planetary sun gear too. Shafts on the two sides of an axle may differ in length, so lay the new one beside the old one to compare. Change the axle oil and inspect the metal on the drain plug.