Little Help With 4410 Axle Seal Repair

[VTHokieJD]

Hi Everybody,

First post to the forums and I'm trying to get a little help. I have a 4410 Compact Utility Tractor with just over 300 hours. Last year about this time I had one of my axle seals go and I sent it to the dealership for repair. I heard it was supposed to be a pretty quick fix (the axle seal P/N LVU10836), but they kept it for two weeks and I got a bill for almost $300 for the part and labor, so I'm doing the side that is leaking now myself. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but haven't really had to mess with the tractor other than basic maintenance to this point.

Last night I took off the tire, verified that it was definitely leaking from the axle (Seal P/N LVU10836), then I removed the eight bolts that hold the hub on. My question is... how does the hub come off... I noticed there are two slots about 3/4" along the flange. Are these for prying it off? Is there a special tool required to pull it off? I didn't really do anything to try and get it off because I didn't want to accidentally mess something up because I didn't how it was supposed to come off. Below is a picture of what I'm talking about. I already ordered the part... and once I get it off, it seems pretty straight forward, a retaining clip, some bearings, a gear.



Any advice on getting the hub apart? Also, how helpful is the tech manual (P/N TM1985)? I've been thinking of getting one if issues like this start to become common. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance!

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN VT

I unfortunately cannot comment on the axle repair, although those slots do look they are for prying...Have you looked at jdparts.com to see the exploded view?

As for the tech manual, I think they are well worth the money if you intend to do your own repairs. The one I have is very detailed, lots of pictures and has a "theory of operation" for all the sections with I find very useful.

[VTHokieJD]

Hi Kenny. Thanks for the welcome. I did check out jdparts.com for the exploded view. It does look like it prys off... just wanted to make sure before I started to try it.

What tech manual do you have? Is it the tech manual by John Deere?

[Wherewolf]

I think it's pretty straightforward - even the parts exploded view shows the indents that you talked about - it would make sense that they need to be there to pry it straight out. Good Luck

[kennyd]

What tech manual do you have? Is it the tech manual by John Deere?

Yes, I have the CD copy from JD, as the paper copy was about $50.00 more I think. Mine was about $70.00 4 years ago. It is basically a large .pdf file. It needs better searching capabilities, but the details are fantastic.

[VTHokieJD]

Yay!... I got the hub off. It was pretty easy. Just used a chisel and tapped the tapered end in lightly at each slot and it slowly opened up without messing up the metal flanges. Once it opened up a little you can just pull it out by hand. Looks like there is a little RTV sealant around the flange... note that for reassembly. I'll get my seal tomorrow and hopefully won't have a problem taking the rest apart and putting it back together.

Kennyd, is the cd version printable? I know sometimes .PDF files can have certain restrictions as far as editing.. not sure about printing though. If it is I may go that route and maybe print myself a copy to put in a binder out in the garage.

[CurlyDave]

You guys are frightening me.

I have been in CA, getting my house ready to sell down there. I got home tonight and my good friend & neighbor showed my his front wheel on his 4410. The seal is damaged from getting a piece of baling twine wound around it. He wanted me to look on the internet for how to get the hub apart to replace the seal.

Of course my first thought was to post a question here, but VTHokieJD has beaten me to it by 12 hours, with exactly the same tractor.

Not only that, but he has gotten an answer and now I know the exact procedure, and that there is not a gasket on the hub, but I will need some of the RTV-type form-a-gasket.

Wow!

[kennyd]

Kennyd, is the cd version printable? I know sometimes .PDF files can have certain restrictions as far as editing.. not sure about printing though. If it is I may go that route and maybe print myself a copy to put in a binder out in the garage.

Yes, mine is. I have printed pages from it-but not the whole thing-I think mine is 700 or 800 pages...

[VTHokieJD]

CurlyDave,

That's some good timing! Funny how stuff works like that.. you're never alone. The hub came apart pretty easy. I'm hoping the bearings and gear come out the same. I'll make a note to take some pics of the process (assuming, I successfully change out the seal... haha).

Thanks for the info on the tech manual Kennyd. I've added the cd version to my "To-Get" List.

[CurlyDave]

Originally Posted by VTHokieJD

CurlyDave,

That's some good timing! Funny how stuff works like that.. you're never alone. The hub came apart pretty easy. I'm hoping the bearings and gear come out the same. I'll make a note to take some pics of the process (assuming, I successfully change out the seal... haha).

If you happen to get any more pix that would be wonderful.

I haven't had a chance to look at it in detail yet, but you even gave me the part number.

- - - -

One issue I know we will have is that Bob has already broken the head off one of the eight bolts that holds it together. As far as I can see, that whole thing is just a casting and a little heat, penetrating oil, and then a stud extractor should work.

Does anyone have another idea on getting the headless bolt out? Maybe wax instead of penetrating oil?