How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?

[Suburban Plowboy]

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?

 

[oldnslo]

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.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

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.

 

[RayIN]

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.

 

[oldnslo]

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.

 

[old and tired]

Are you using UTF or the thicker gear oil?

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

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.

 

[Mike1955]

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

 

[oldnslo]

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.

 

[Hay Dude]

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.