L245DT Rear Axle Cover

[petegoud]

I recently discovered a crack in the rear axle cover on my L245DT. I had been losing some oil, and thought it was a seal. Upon taking the cover off I discovered a plate that had been welded in, it looked like it was there to beef up the cover. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this, is it something done at the factory, or afterwards has a repair?

 

[bky]

I believe that was done sometime after it left the factory. I have had mine apart and didn't see the plate.

 

[petegoud]

bky, thanks for the quick reply. I suspected that those plates were done after the fact, now, if I can only find out what did happen?

 

[Bluegill2]

That plate looks factory, or at least professionally done. Can't remember if my old L245 had that or not. But I had that part of the axle apart on one side a couple times for bearing replacement. That is a weak link in this model.

Where is the crack? Good thing is it's all press formed steel and easily welded.

 

[petegoud]

I found the crack by laying the cover upside down on a bench and filling it with diesel. It was clear where the leak was then.

 

[Bluegill2]

Looks like the crack area has been welded before?

I'd re-weld and put it back to work. I new seal wouldn't be a bad idea either...

 

[petegoud]

Bluegill, that photo was taken after I welded the crack and painted it. If the weld doesn't work, maybe the paint will!

 

[rbargeron]

Here's another variation - with a plate on the outside - looks factory - like there may have been some revised designs over the model run. Pic is from the Wenger's of Meyerstown website. (L235 model)

 

[Bluegill2]

Bluegill, that photo was taken after I welded the crack and painted it. If the weld doesn't work, maybe the paint will!

OK I gottcha. You should be good to go!

Like I said, that part was a week link, but easy to fix

 

[Bluegill2]

Here's another variation - with a plate on the outside - looks factory - like there may have been some revised designs over the model run. Pic is from the Wenger's of Meyerstown website. (L235 model)

There was too much flex in the steel housing. Factory or not, that looks like a good fix.