4wd axle seals

JerryT · Mar 23, 2004

When my 4400 was new, (3 months) I noticed that one off my front wheels was leaking hydraulic fluid. The dealer replaced the seal under warranty. (Actually did both sides as standard practice) Now I've got 600 hrs on it and noticed another leak. I replaced the seal myself, which was relatively easy, if you have access to a shop press, and didn't cost much. The soil here in east Texas is sandy and perhaps this is causing seal wear. Has anyone else had this problem. Thanks
Jerry

OkieG · Mar 23, 2004

Jerry,
Both front axle/wheel seals on my MFWD 855 failed about a year and a half ago. They began leaking within a couple months of each other, shortly after having been spun plenty while stuck in axle deep mud. I'm pretty sure it was the mud bath that did 'em in. No problems since then...knock on wood.

OkieG

Hambone · Mar 24, 2004

Don't know if this relates to you tractor or not, but here it is.
My sales guy told me on my 2210 that using FEL without ballast would cause leakage at the front wheel seals by overloading the bearings.
Your tractor is quite a bit bigger so don't know if would pertain or not.

Old_Hickory · Mar 24, 2004

My 4400 leaks as well.

JerryT · Mar 26, 2004

Thanks everyone. Okie, I have stuck mine a couple of times, and here in east texas the mud is mostly sand, so that may be the problem. When I took it apart there was sand in the area of the seal but I couldn't find any inside. Old Hickory, if you have the axle style with a snap ring holding it together, replacement is very easy. The seal cost about $7.00 and the gasket material required for reassembly was $13.00!

Old_Hickory · Mar 26, 2004

( if you have the axle style )

Do you mean the "Old Style Axle" ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

JerryT · Mar 29, 2004

Old Hickory
The service manual and parts manual show 2 styles of axles. I think the snap ring is the newest, only because it always appears second in the listings. Actually if you can give me the number on the axle I can look it up. The number is stamped on the little flat area next to the yellow fill plug. I couldn't read the number so I took it apart to find out. The axle that uses some kind of lock nut appears to be much more of a chore.