Pushed out axle seal Kioti dk42

[Captm]

I was greasing my tractor today and noticed what looks like part of the axle seal laying on the axle. I dont really see what else it could be, I guess I must have pushed the seal out last time I greased it.
Have any of you ever replaced that seal? Is it a big job to do? Do you guys think I can still use the tractor without hurting anything?

FYI the tractor is still brand new and has about 30 hours on it.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Looks like grease to me, I didn’t see any seal material. You’ve probably just gave it too much. How many pumps did you give it? 2 or 3 pumps once/twice between oil changes is lots…unless it went under water.

 

[Captm]

Maybe I should have taken a better picture. Sorry for that, i know it may not look like it but believe me there is definitely a piece of rubber gasket that came out of it.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Well, you have Warranty. Call your dealer Monday and keep the grease to it so that dirt doesn’t get in…

 

[Captm]

Thank you Robin, I know I have a waranty but my dealer is about 2 hours away, that is why I asked if anyone has replaced that gasket and how big a job it is, it might easier for me to just replace the gasket without having to tow my tractor all the way to the dealer.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Well I’d call them regardless and take a better picture to show the seal piece. That way it’s documented. Then whenever you get it serviced by them, maybe the 50 hour 1st service, they can include the seal replacement at the same time. Keep the grease oozing out just a little…

 

[Captm]

Yeah, I will take a better picture of the seal tomorrow and post it here. I was not going to take the tractor to the dealer for the 50 hours service (again 2 hours drive) and they will probably say it is my fault, that I pumped too much grease in it anyway. As I remember I probably pumped it with the grease gun 2 or 3 times at 15 hours.

 

[Robin Veerman]

Do they have a field mechanic that would come to you? But, It’s their problem that will only cost them more as the hours rack up…

 

[Captm]

No they made it clear that they would cover waranty but I if there is a problem I would have to get the tractor there on my own.

 

[ptsg]

That almost looks like the O-ring was cut during assembly, then the grease just pushed the damaged part out.

It's possible to push the O-ring out by over pressurizing that grease zerk, but that usually just pushes the O-ring out.

On that part and the trunnions where the front axle pivots, it's important to not apply too much pressure when greasing or it will blow the O-rings out. Some tractors, usually bigger one, have a built in relief valve to prevent exactly that.

The purpose of the o-rings there is to keep water and dirt from getting in.

Personally, I see no point on really file a warranty claim for a couple cents worth of O-ring, specially in this situation that's easily fixable. The trunnions on the front axle pivot are a lot more work to fix.

All it should take is take that part off, put a new o-ring and assemble back together.

 

[Captm]

That almost looks like the O-ring was cut during assembly, then the grease just pushed the damaged part out.

It's possible to push the O-ring out by over pressurizing that grease zerk, but that usually just pushes the O-ring out.

On that part and the trunnions where the front axle pivots, it's important to not apply too much pressure when greasing or it will blow the O-rings out. Some tractors, usually bigger one, have a built in relief valve to prevent exactly that.

The purpose of the o-rings there is to keep water and dirt from getting in.

Personally, I see no point on really file a warranty claim for a couple cents worth of O-ring, specially in this situation that's easily fixable. The trunnions on the front axle pivot are a lot more work to fix.

All it should take is take that part off, put a new o-ring and assemble back together.

Yes thats exactly what I was thinking. Is there a need to empty the axle oil to do that job?

 

[ptsg]

Yes thats exactly what I was thinking. Is there a need to empty the axle oil to do that job?

No. I don't think it's needed. There should be only grease under that part.

I would just support the axle with a jack, just enough to take a little bit of the weight out, in case the final drive wants to move in and out so it doesn't make it harder during assembly to align everything back in.

I can't find a parts manual for this tractor to confirm this but sometimes there are shims there to adjust the play up and down. Just be aware of that and make sure if there are indeed shims, they go back in in the same place.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I thought that what I was looking at was a strip of grease but I believe that you’re right, it does look like an o-ring. …no point on really file a warranty claim for a couple cents worth of O-ring… The parts may be cheap but the labour isn’t going to be easy. Make an appointment and the 4 hour trip would make a nice day for a lunch date…especially since you’re going to the dealer for the required parts, including filters etc for the upcoming 1st service.

 

[5030]

I find it interesting that your dealer don't do 'farm calls' and won't pick up the unit for warranty or other repairs. Every dealer I know of has a roll back or a beaver tail trailer with a winch for just that purpose. Pat of the necessary equipment for a selling dealer to own. My dealer does 'farm calls' as well as pick up and delivery. Of course there is a charge for transportation as fuel isn't cheap nor is time free. In fact, soon I will start working for my dealer, driving his roll off, delivering and picking up units that need to have shop time.

 

[Captm]

Here is part of the rubber. Yeah no going to the dealer is not an option for me. I do not have the trailer or the truck to get it over there and I am not willing to pay transportation for a 2$ o-ring… I’d rader spend 2 hours on my knees fixing the thing hence my orignial question.

 

[ruffdog]

Well, that looks weird.

 

[34Willys]

That's odd looking for an o ring. Have you tried to dig out the rest of it? I would try to find a copy of the parts manual. That might be some packing material used when the front end got painted and not even needed. I've seen o rings on hydraulic rams for that purpose.
Patrick

 

[ruffdog]

What it looks to me is paint covered grease that was pushed out.

 

[Captm]

What it looks to me is paint covered grease that was pushed out.

No it definitely is made of rubber

 

[Captm]

That's odd looking for an o ring. Have you tried to dig out the rest of it? I would try to find a copy of the parts manual. That might be some packing material used when the front end got painted and not even needed. I've seen o rings on hydraulic rams for that purpose.
Patrick

Yeah I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow if there is packing there, thank you!