TRACK PAIR

872 697 29 TRACKS, PAIR is one of those heavy-duty pins that takes a real beating down in the undercarriage. It’s what holds your track links together, or sometimes secures a track roller or idler to the frame. Basically, it’s the pivot point that lets the track articulate as it moves, keeping everything in line and taking all the load from the machine's weight and propulsion. Without it, your track assembly just wouldn't stay together.

When these pins start to go, you’ll definitely notice things getting sloppy. The most common thing is excessive play in the track, which can lead to the track running loose or even jumping off the idler, especially on a slope. You might hear a distinct clunking or grinding noise as the machine moves, particularly when turning or traversing uneven ground. Sometimes, it’ll even cause uneven track tension or premature wear on the track links themselves because things aren’t sitting right anymore.

Replacing these isn't usually a quick job, so when you're in there, make sure you check the corresponding bushings and the condition of the track links themselves. A worn pin almost always means the bushing it rides in is also shot, so plan on doing both. And don’t forget to properly secure the retaining bolts or clips; I’ve seen too many times where a pin works its way out because someone forgot to torque things down or reused a stretched bolt.