How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?

   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #1  

Suburban Plowboy

Platinum Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
925
Location
FL
Tractor
Kubota L3710
My Kubota L3710 released some oil from the left front hub. Not much. I topped it off and ordered parts so I could replace a seal, an O-ring, and two bearings.

My understanding is that if I jack the wheel up and wrestle with it, and it doesn't seem loose, I can keep using the tractor until the parts get here. Is that true?

Kubota L3710 left front axle leak.jpg
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #2  
If bearings are bad you should feel some play when trying to rock it or wrestle with it. Depending on how bad could also feel rough when turning the wheel.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #4  
Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.
Not without affecting all the seals common to that lubricating system.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #5  
Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.
If minimal leak and bearings ate not bad you might be better to just keep adding oil vs trying something to plug the leak.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #8  
It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.
I personally would think that in the colder climates the super udt would pay off. Because of the viscosity. But you are right it be difficult to keep in there with a small leak
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #9  
It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.
I would be cautious mixing UDT with gear oil. Not sure if there would be compatibility issues or not.
 
   / How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad? #10  
My Kubota L3710 released some oil from the left front hub. Not much. I topped it off and ordered parts so I could replace a seal, an O-ring, and two bearings.

My understanding is that if I jack the wheel up and wrestle with it, and it doesn't seem loose, I can keep using the tractor until the parts get here. Is that true?

View attachment 4099893
That’s a pretty decent leak. Kubota is known to blow front axle seals. I’d switch to axle oil if in a warm climate. The seals aren’t too bad DIY, next to go will be the wheel bearing. Make sure you keep the front hub reservoir topped off.
 

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