L4400 front axle leaking. GRRRRR!

[Greenfield Dave]

After a very frustrating attempt to back a 4 wheel wagon load of firewood, I noticed the front axle leaking inside of the wheel. I had it in 4WD for a short while because the back end was sliding on wet grass, and may have cranked the wheel all the way to one side and goosed it a little too much.

I looked at the parts manual, and there's a plug at the bottom of the front axle case, and that's where it was wet. Anybody have that plug come loose and leak?? That's what I'm hoping is the leak and not a cracked housing or something worse! After the backing fiasco, nothing would surprise me!!

Thanks!

Dave

 

[PapaPerk]

After a very frustrating attempt to back a 4 wheel wagon load of firewood, I noticed the front axle leaking inside of the wheel. I had it in 4WD for a short while because the back end was sliding on wet grass, and may have cranked the wheel all the way to one side and goosed it a little too much. I looked at the parts manual, and there's a plug at the bottom of the front axle case, and that's where it was wet. Anybody have that plug come loose and leak?? That's what I'm hoping is the leak and not a cracked housing or something worse! After the backing fiasco, nothing would surprise me!! Thanks! Dave

I doubt you hurt the axle while backing up. Axle maybe leaking at wheel bearing seal or front hub pivot. My L3830 recently had its front right wheel bearing and seal replaced.

Seal failed causing damage to bearing. There was axle lube on wheel just like your. Grab the front tire and see if there's any slop in it. If there is probably bad wheel bearing and seal. About $160 fix at my dealer.

 

[Jay4200]

Seal failed causing damage to bearing. There was axle lube on wheel just like your. Grab the front tire and see if there's any slop in it. If there is probably bad wheel bearing and seal. About $160 fix at my dealer.

Were those wheel bearings and seals, or bevel case bearings and seals? My L4200 has had a bevel seal leak ever since I got it - I'm up to 90W140 gear oil in the front axle and put a cup under the bevel case when I park. I've filled up a couple of cups, but have yet to need to add any additional oil after two years - still dribbling out of the check hole. My local kubota dealer charges $700-$800 to change those seals. Per side. Which, naturally, is why it still leaks.

JayC

 

[Greenfield Dave]

I jacked it up and it does not seem to have any play in it, so I don't suspect a wheel bearing/seal rupture. It only has 450 hrs on it, so I can't imagine a bearing shooting craps, but something did! More investigating tomorrow...

 

[AStanton]

I'm wondering if the leak was from some kind of pressure relief from working the 4 wheel vigorously.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

Well it seems like it is the oil seal around the front axle. I took the wheel off and degreased the whole area. No visible leaks until I drove around a little, swerving back and forth. Then a seep under the axle, then a bigger seep. So it appears like all I have to do is take the wheel off, remove the bolts that hold the front axle cover on remove the collar and replace the seal. I might go ahead and replace the bearing while I'm in there just for kicks.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

Well, I'd say it was the bearing!! It took the seal with it, and scratched the heck out of the axle too! I only worked about 2 hours after I noticed the leak. But I must say, it was pretty easy to replace.

 

[MHarryE]

If you gave been using UDT, I would suggest a synthetic 75W-90 now although others have suggested 85W-140 mineral oil. 80W-140 would be better yet if you can find it. My first change went directly to gear lube in the front axle.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

If you gave been using UDT, I would suggest a synthetic 75W-90 now although others have suggested 85W-140 mineral oil. 80W-140 would be better yet if you can find it. My first change went directly to gear lube in the front axle.

I changed it at 50 hrs like I was supposed to, and since the book says you can use either, I put hydraulic oil in the axle.. Not doing that again!!
I'm refilling it with synthetic something. for some reason, it's hard to find anything but the WalMart crap, which I refuse to use.

 

[rbargeron]

Good doing Dave - failures like this are pretty uncommon and usually start with a metallurgical defect in the bearing from new. A defective ball starts to break, damaging the race, eventually jamming and shattering, then another fails because the race is rough, the spreader breaks, and on and on until it runs loose enough to make the seal leak. With the bad parts replaced, you could go right back to doing whatever you were doing and it would almost certainly never fail again. Bearings are made in huge numbers and defects are so rare they probably don't even inspect them. Just bad luck to get a bad one.