2005 Kubota L3130 : Manual trans with 4x4 : Small metal flakes in front axle fluid

hendr1x · May 19, 2021

Hello everyone,
I just bought this tractor. It is completely new to me. It had a leaking seal so first thing I did was pulled off the front knuckles. When draining the fluid it had a fair amount of flakes in it. All were every small. I just wanted to get some advise on how to handle this. Should I change all the bearings or should I inspect and only change the ones that I can see/feel damage on? For the gears, if they visually look fine can I assume they are fine? There seems to be a some bearings up in the tube, its got a front diff (which I haven't look at yet), should I tear all that down that as well?

I would appreciate any help I can get for this job.

-Justin

s219 · May 19, 2021

How many hours on the tractor? I would expect to see small flakes if it's the original gear oil. Probably would have looked the same if you changed the fluid right when new. I'd only be worried if there were chunks or broken pieces.

jthibodeau89 · May 19, 2021

Small flakes like this?...LOL

Spanner · May 20, 2021

hendr1x said:
Hello everyone,
I just bought this tractor. It is completely new to me. It had a leaking seal so first thing I did was pulled off the front knuckles. When draining the fluid it had a fair amount of flakes in it. All were every small. I just wanted to get some advise on how to handle this. Should I change all the bearings or should I inspect and only change the ones that I can see/feel damage on? For the gears, if they visually look fine can I assume they are fine? There seems to be a some bearings up in the tube, its got a front diff (which I haven't look at yet), should I tear all that down that as well?

I would appreciate any help I can get for this job.

-Justin

Welcome to TBN, Justin.
For future queries- The relevent statistic is the 'hours' as S219 says, below.

s219 said:
How many hours on the tractor? I would expect to see small flakes if it's the original gear oil. Probably would have looked the same if you changed the fluid right when new. I'd only be worried if there were chunks or broken pieces.

I agree, that flakes aren't unusual - But worth keeping an eye on.
Change the oil across the front axle in all compartments. Check levels regularly and change again when you change engine oil and monitor the 'flakeage'.
Keep an ear open for adverse noises.
At this stage I'd go with the old adage - If it ain't broke - Don't fix it.

hendr1x · May 20, 2021

Thanks for responses guys. So no chunks...definitely not like the pictures, but basically glitter size...a fair amount of it. I might strain the oil pan to get a better idea of quantity. The tractor has 2k hours. The fluid isn't old because its been leaking. I don't know how much exactly but both tires had a fair amount of coating on them..strangely the side that had the most, had less flakes.

The gears in the front diff look good from what I can see.