Bobcat S250 Drive Noise

[EZ-Man86]

Hey guys, Was running my S250 a while ago and it started a "clacking" kinda sound whenever left stick was engaged..
Also noticeable power loss on that side.
Ideas on what to look at? I have the cab off right now doing a swap so anything else maintenance I should do while in there I am all ears.
Thanks a bunch
EZ

 

[Coaldust]

I can hear it, too. It sounds expensive. Jack the left side off the ground and check for movement. You are allowed 1.5”. That will give you an idea of drive chain condition. Then, you can go from there. Let us know.

Broken axle hub, failed bearing, drive motor is toast,……. $$$$$$ oh’ boy.

 

[EZ-Man86]

Lol thanks for the non-Inflammatory prognostication.
I have all 4 wheels off and sitting on blocks.. Can not get much if any movement out of the hubs.. Will put a couple wheels back on and let you know what I get.
EZ

 

[Coaldust]

The next easy check is to remove the left side drive motor case drain filter and see if the canister is full of junk.

 

[EZ-Man86]

Is that the Black cover right in between the axles?
EZ

 

[Coaldust]

Roger that. Be prepared to make a mess. I’d have a new filter handy in case you wish to replace it.

 

[Skid-steer Repair]

Just remember some of those case drains, depending on model, returns directly to the reservoir. Which means before you remove it you should drain the reservoir or expect to have several gals of hydro filling your chassis.

-as for the clicking, most likely the chains, sprockets, and bearings. The power loss could be drive blew a seal.

 

[EZ-Man86]

So I have next to no play in the wheels.. Got my hydraulic oil drained and lines removed from my case drain filter.. Off to get some crows foot wrenches so I can get the filter out.
EZ

 

[EZ-Man86]

Well... Got my filter out... Full of silver shiny flakes and particulate... Assume its safe to surmise my drive motor is toast? Right hand filter is squeaky clean..
EZ

 

[EZ-Man86]

Brass and silver actually
EZ

 

[IceHole]

From mammary, there's just 1 case filter, both drives hook into it.

Mine was clean with ~5000hrs on the machine.

 

[Coaldust]

Brass and silver actually
EZ

Can you post a picture?

 

[EZ-Man86]

 

[EZ-Man86]

So yeah i realized that both final drive motors drain to the one filter.. also the case drain from the aux at the bucket goes through an identical filter before then also coming to the one with both drains from the finals.

Wondering what else to see before pulling motors?
EZ

 

[EZ-Man86]

Is it strange that I don't have any debris in the case drain hose or fitting from my weak motor?
EZ

 

[Skid-steer Repair]

There is no brass in the drives so I would say your hydrostatic pumps are shot. They are piston pumps with brass slippers on the end of pistons. Engine must be removed to replace. Sadly with that much debris your gear pumps are probably shot too.

 

[EZ-Man86]

Well poop

 

[EZ-Man86]

Would I confirm by inspecting my main hydraulic filter?
EZ

 

[EZ-Man86]

Also is it possible that the clacking I was hearing was coming from my Hydrostatic pump?

 

[Coaldust]

Hopefully the case drain caught caught the major debtis before it had the chance to cycle through the pumps and the main filter on the return side, but yes. Go ahead and check it. You’ll be changing the hydraulic oil anyways, before this project is done.