Stress crack in wheel motor

smilindave · Nov 1, 2008

Front wheel motor on my 425 started leaking a while back. The other day it finally blew. Oil everywhere. I took the motor off and had new seals put in. Still leaked. After closer inspection, i found a hairline crack on the face of the motor near the main seal. Is there any chance I can have it welded, re-machined and a new seal kit installed?

SnowRidge · Nov 1, 2008

What kind of wheel motors do you have? If your machine is mid 2003 or newer, then they are Whites. You can get a new motor for a little over $300, if you shop carefully.

Welding up a stress crack to withstand 2500 PSI seems like a tricky proposition. Maybe a good weldor could do it, if the area in question did not have a precision machined finish. You also may be able to buy a new case for the motor.

Can you provide a photo of the leaking area?

smilindave · Nov 1, 2008

The motor is a White form a 2000 model. I'm worried about getting a good tight weld that will seal the crack, especially in the area around the seal. as for the picture, I don't have access to a digital camera.

J_J · Nov 1, 2008

smilindave said:
The motor is a White form a 2000 model. I'm worried about getting a good tight weld that will seal the crack, especially in the area around the seal. as for the picture, I don't have access to a digital camera.

Just curious if you were using reversed wheels?

smilindave · Nov 2, 2008

I did have the back wheels reversed for a while to move some dirt, but when I was done I switched them back. However it is one of the front motors that went bad.

ponytug · Nov 2, 2008

Without knowing where the crack is, it is hard to comment in detail. In general, welding a hairline crack is not recommended on a machined part, as you need to penetrate deep enough into the metal to fuse the body.

If it just on the lip that holds the o-ring, maybe. However, I think that the welding/machining bill would outweigh the price of a new motor.

All the best,

Peter