The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

There seems to be a noise on my major, it sounds like a bearing noise. It only happens under load, when I go down hill the noise goes. Would it be a gearbox bearing or any other bearing? Thanks

Welcome to the board.

Two places the noise might be from, gearbox or rear bull pinion shafts bearings. You can check the gearbox bearings by taking the selector plate off near the clutch and looking inside, you can see the most important bearings with a light. You will have to drain some of the gearbox oil so you may find bits of bearing cage in the drain plug.

You could also try removing the drain plug from the rear axle and see if you have any bits in there too.

Welcome to the board

If it is a low moaning and inspection shows no damage or debris in the oil (and nothing gets unduly hot over a few hours work) then it may just be the 'Major Moan' which some seem to have in the back end, our '58 Major has done it since the early '60s, it has not got worse and so far nothing untoward has happened - are you anywhere where there are other Major owners ? if so demonstrate it to them and ask their opinion, they will either put your mind at rest or point you in the right direction.

Above all, take Brian's opinions seriously, he has probably worked on more than most of the rest of us combined.

If you can capture it on a video, post it on Youtube and link here for folk to cock an ear at.

Good luck

Brilliant thank you both!