JD 4300 4wd front axle seal leak...need spanner wrench size

[MotorSeven]

My buddy got a good deal on a 2000ish 4wd 4300 but both front axle seals are leaking. Once the bevel gears are removed, there is a large hole under the end of the axle. inside this access hole is a spanner type nut. This nut has to come out to replace the upper seal, but we cannot find a spanner wrench that fits(have tried about 20 different sizes). There is no way to measure the nut that is up inside the recess. So far, the JD dealerships have not been much help in locating a spanner wrench, or providing the correct size. Does any one here know what size the wrench needs to be?

Our next option is to order a new nut, then build or find a spanner wrench to fit it..............any other suggestions?

 

[4310]

Sorry I can't help but I have seen a lot of threads regarding this on here.
You might do a google search for "4300 or 4310 front axle leak" and find it on here. If you haven't tried that route already.
I don't have much luck doing a search within tractorbynet but that may just be me.
I remember one post where the guy did a walk through with pictures and all.

 

[MotorSeven]

I have been searching, but so far I have not found a thread for this specific problem....still digging

 

[TCJatko]

This guy dfkrug is the go-to guy on the 4300. He can probably answer your questions.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/146974-john-deere-4300-complete-rebuild.html

 

[MotorSeven]

I think I found the right IPL:

1 19M7488 Cap Screw 8 M16 X 40
2 M138035 Washer 8
3 N71921 Snap Ring 2
4 LVU22480 Shim Kit 1 SUB FOR M136876
5 JD8518 Ball Bearing 2
6 M136873 Gear 1 Z=15
7 JD9344 Ball Bearing 1
8 M136875 Gear 1 Z=12
9 LVU10744 Housing 1 ORDER SJ14408, RH AND SJ14407, LH Shoulder
10 M138286 Sleeve 1 ORDER LVU25945
Cart key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
LVU25945 Seal 1
11 T115842 Tapered Roller Bearing 1
12 LVU29578 Snap Ring 1
13 LVU10742 Lock Washer 1
14 SU37820 Lock Nut 1 SUB FOR LVU10743
15 M136868 Shaft 1 Drop
16 N85286 Snap Ring 2
17 M136870 Gear 1 Z=12
18 LVU22536 Shim Kit 1 SUB FOR M136872
19 W23122 Snap Ring 1
Cart key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
20 LVU19403 Plug 1 SUB FOR M136871
LVU20868 Plug 1 ORDER LVU25556
LVU25556 Plug 1
21 LVU23689 Shaft 1 SUB FOR LVU10835 Output
22 LVA16814 Seal 1 SUB FOR LVU10836
23 19M7868 Bolt 8
24 LVU23688 Cover 1 SUB FOR LVU10834 Housing
25 JD8537 Ball Bearing 1
26 LVU10838 Spacer 1
27 M136866 Gear 1 Z=41
Cart key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
28 M138274 Ball Bearing 1
29 LVA10672 Knuckle 1 ORDER SJ14408 RH
LVA10671 Knuckle 1 ORDER SJ14407 LH
30 JD8210 Bearing Cup 1
31 15H558 Pipe Plug 1 1/8"
32 JD8159 Bearing Cone 1
33 LVU25945 Seal 1 SUB FOR LVU17467
34 SJ14407 Knuckle 1 SUB FOR LVA10669, LH
SJ14408 Knuckle 1 SUB FOR LVA10670, RH
35 LVU29579 Snap Ring 1
Cart key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
36 LVU29580 Snap Ring 1

The seal is part #33 and the spanner nut is part # 14. looks like we will just order part # 14, then match or make a spanner to fit it.

TC, thanks, I'll PM dfkrug........

 

[beenthere]

Several "Similar Threads" are listed at the bottom of the page that deal with the front axle seal leak. Might save some time searching.

 

[DFB]

4300 are nice tractors

Those axles were USA built if I remember correctly from all the threads discussing front turning issues that once surrounded using those tractors for mowing and subsequent lawn damage...

So would it be safe to assume its a standard hex size and not metric

Its not notched is it?

 

[dfkrug]

....There is no way to measure the nut that is up inside the recess.
So far, the JD dealerships have not been much help in locating a spanner wrench, or providing the
correct size. Does any one here know what size the wrench needs to be?

Our next option is to order a new nut, then build or find a spanner wrench to fit it..............any
other suggestions?

You may have the axle version I did, Rick. I used a pipe and welded 2 teeth on it to make
the special tool I needed. Once I had that, it went smoothly. These pix are part of a thread
I did a few years ago, but it may be buried in one of the two 4300 rebuild threads.

 

[MotorSeven]

DF, yep, that's it.......do you happen to know the diameter pipe you used? I can weld up one pretty easy, but getting a measurement inside that hole is almost impossible.

I read your thread, and schedule 40 pipe is mentioned, but not the diameter. We will start hunting pipe and see if we can find one that will work...thanks!

 

[MotorSeven]

We found a tool at a dealership in Harlan KY....1.2 hrs away, so we will run up there and get it asap.