Does Everyone Have a Front Axle Leak?

[toolbox5]

my 08 3120 no leaks on front axle just dump cylinder on loader, but on ocassion they get put in wrong and will leak , thats from my salesmans mouth but they aren't terrible to change . i just did a pivot seal today on a kubota 3600 .we have 3 orange tractors at work 3600,and 2 4310's i change front axle bearings and seals 2 to 3 times a year , job security i guess .

 

[arrabil]

Can't find the 4300 manual, so maybe somebody can help with that (Brother Arrabil)

No vents in the 42/3/400 tech manual...

EDIT: Roy, what kind of vent is that? I hope its a pressure release valve seeing as how it better not be vented to atmosphere that low to the ground!

 

[arrabil]

Voila.... vented front axle.

Installation pictures after it stops raining.

 

[Tunguska]

Very nice!

I'm going to do the same thing before your patent kicks in.:laughing:

 

[beenthere]

Voila.... vented front axle.

Installation pictures after it stops raining.

What are we seeing in the pics attached? A replacement vent for the yellow dipstick plug?
Some welding on the nut? or fitting? a tube for venting?

 

[Bedlam]

On my front axle I made it vent ,Its a ford and i juts took out the filler with level indicator, and used a CPVC plumbing fixture with a cap on it drilled a couple holes int he side and screwed it in. (1/2 ") Threads were a bit different but the CPVC just cut itself in.There was alot of pressure buildup in the summer with it working...

 

[arrabil]

What are we seeing in the pics attached? A replacement vent for the yellow dipstick plug?

Yes. I didn't want to ruin the yellow plug because I'm gonna keep it for measuring the correct fluid level. So...

The hole in the axle is 3/4"-10 thread. I bought a one inch long 3/4-10 plug with a hex socket in the top of it ($1.90). I drilled a hole in it. I welded a nut to the top of it ($0.99). I put a barb in the hex hole ($0.99).

I was going to tap the hex hole for the barb threads but when I saw the tap cost $10 (and that I'd need a bigger barb) I decided to grind down the threads some and hammered the barb into the hex hole after coating it in RTV sealant.

I'm going to put an o-ring under the nut just like in the original design.

The hose is going to run up into the engine compartment and the fuel filter ($3.49) keeps bugs and dirt from going down into the axle.

Very nice! I'm going to do the same thing before your patent kicks in.

Thanks. No patents!

 

[captin_insano]

Nice job, I think thats the ticket.

 

[captin_insano]

Over at the Kubota Dealership I was told that positive pressure in the front axle assembly keeps the water out when working in rice paddy's

Your dealer would be right if the tractor had an external pressure source. Otherwise the same concept works to suck the crap in. As the oil/air/metal are heated and cooled the pressure will always change. It could be greater than atmosphere pressure keeping junk out or it could be less than atmosphere, sucking stuff if. Technically theres wouldnt be sucking but atmosphere pressure would force the water/muck past the seals.

 

[JimmyDee]

Voila.... vented front axle.

Installation pictures after it stops raining.

At the risk of appearing thick headed, I have to ask, is this the 'fix' to the leaking axle seal problem?