2520 Front end seal. Need help please

BlackRaptor · Jul 5, 2011

Hey guys,
Before i can upgrade the 2520 I need to get this front end seal fixed.
I'm having a hard time figuring out which seal is it that went out.
Tonight I cleaned the hub and everything around it and hoping by morning i can find a wet spot where the fluid is leaking out. But i was wondering if any of you knew if there is a common seal that goes out around the front hub and if so what did I do wrong to cause it to fail on a tractor with only 200 hours that's used 90% of the time as a lawn mower. I will admit i have loaded down my bucket good a hand full of times. could this be the cause?
I've attached pictures of the area that's leaking. any help would be great. Also any advice this taking apart this area would be great also. from the break down there are a lot of little parts inside there.
Tractor is kept in-doors and I maintain it by the book so I'm a little surprised it's making puddles already on me.
Thanks guys.
Chad.

bz1 · Jul 6, 2011

The head mechanic at my dealer told me that the front wheel seal is the only thing they regularly replace on the 250 and like machines. I owned a 4100 until it had 700 hours on it with no problems. I also had a 2520 with 400 hours and no problems. I did not have a loader on either machine. I'm not sure how long they generally last. Go to the online JD parts pages and the exploded views should show you how this gear box is built. That should help you figure out where the seals are.

mjncad · Jul 6, 2011

I suggest you get the tech manual on CD from https://techpubs.deere.com/ as they are usually 1/2 the cost of the paper manual and you can print out what you need and replace damaged greasy pages anytime.

The JD parts web site is great for ordering parts; but it won't give you disassemble/reassembly instructions that you may need.

I gather the tractor is out of warranty?

By chance was the tractor in 4x4 and tight turns being made on pavement? I know sometimes I space out taking mine out of 4x4 since there is no dash light to remind me.

BlackRaptor · Jul 6, 2011

Thanks guys.
I posted two more pictures. Which seals are the wheel seals? I'm just making sure i got the right ones. even though these questions don't make me sound like it i'm pretty mechanical and can rebuild about anything. Just don't want to rip into it any deeps than i have to.
The two seals I purchased are 7 and 22. (See Picture)
Are these the two that the JD mechanic told you go out?

I have turned tight on tar once or twice but try to be VERY careful not to be on tar in 4X4.

Thanks again guys for all the help in my little project here

Mechanos · Jul 6, 2011

BlackRaptor said:
Thanks guys.
I posted two more pictures. Which seals are the wheel seals? I'm just making sure i got the right ones. even though these questions don't make me sound like it i'm pretty mechanical and can rebuild about anything. Just don't want to rip into it any deeps than i have to.
The two seals I purchased are 7 and 22. (See Picture)
Are these the two that the JD mechanic told you go out?

I have turned tight on tar once or twice but try to be VERY careful not to be on tar in 4X4.

Thanks again guys for all the help in my little project here

Nope... the ones you bought are the spindle shaft seals. You're not looking at the right page in the part manual to see the "wheel seals". Looking the MFWD Final Drive section for the seal and/or wear sleeve for the stub shaft.

BlackRaptor · Jul 6, 2011

Dang I was wondering if those where right didn't seem right when i was at the dealer hmmm.
I attached a break down of the hub wheel area.

2 and 7 ?
Thanks help helping me with all my stupid question.

Mechanos · Jul 6, 2011

Yes... you will need the gasket, #7, because you will need to take the cover off the housing to remove the snap ring from the stub shaft. Then remove the stub shaft from the cover/ring gear. R&R the seal and put it all back together. Very easy to do.

I see by that breakdown that JD has "cheapened" the design. It's basically the same as my 955, except that the 955 has a replaceable oil seal wear sleeve on the stub shaft. On the design you're working on, you'd have to either replace the stub or track down a Speedi-sleeve to repair the stub shaft if the oil seal surface becomes worn or grooved.

goodbyeNJ · Jul 6, 2011

Yep, number 2 and number 7. Mine went on left side 2 days shy of 24 months, covered by warranty. Same one again 3 1/2 months later - no warranty, repairs only guaranteed 90 days. Service Manager had no explanation for failures.

BlackRaptor · Jul 6, 2011

Thanks guys,
I will go to Deere tomorrow and return and buy the correct seals.
So glad it's that seal not the one i thought it was. that would have been much more ugly.
This looks simple.

Thanks again my friends!

Mechanos · Jul 6, 2011

Spindle shafts seals aren't bad either. I just replaced them on my 955 a week ago. Very similar design. Took about an hour per side.

bz1 · Jul 6, 2011

My dealer machanic seemed to indicate the problem is with the seal part #2 that shows in the latest diagram you attached. I'm just going by where he was pointing when he told me about it. But, I never did see whether you found the leak was on the stub axle shaft or on the steering pivot. I suppose either one could leak especially since the oil is filled up half way into the differential case.

BlackRaptor · Jul 7, 2011

I think it's #2 seal.
That is where it looks like i'm losing fluid.
Stopping by Deere over lunch to exchange parts.
Thanks guys.

davidtc68 · Mar 27, 2016

Mechanos said:
Spindle shafts seals aren't bad either. I just replaced them on my 955 a week ago. Very similar design. Took about an hour per side.

I have a 2720, looks very similar. leak is coming from the spindle seal by the looks of it. Is there a posted process for removal and replacement? Do just the 8 bolts in the case need to be removed to remove the spindle? Will the seal need to be (hydraulic) pressed in/out? I'm assuming that I should get part #7 gasket at the same time if I'm pulling the 8 bolts on the case. TIA

prosperity · Mar 28, 2016

davidtc68 said:
I have a 2720, looks very similar. leak is coming from the spindle seal by the looks of it. Is there a posted process for removal and replacement? Do just the 8 bolts in the case need to be removed to remove the spindle? Will the seal need to be (hydraulic) pressed in/out? I'm assuming that I should get part #7 gasket at the same time if I'm pulling the 8 bolts on the case. TIA

2720 Technical Manual

Travis Camrose · Jun 7, 2017

Thanks for all of the information and posts here. I have also a leak on the front axle of my 2520. However, I believe it is originating from the top of the gear case (21) in above diagram. In order to trouble shoot I am guessing that I will have to take the whole thing apart from steering arm through gear case but am hoping to leave most of the gear case in tact.

I have never done this and was wondering if anyone has any good step by step instructions for this. Unfortunately we can't afford to take it in every time we have problems and need to learn to fix this ourselves.

Once again, appreciate all the great posts on this site. Cheers.

/Travis