Antifreeze in axle...is it possible? JD3320

[Bigdoggie]

Hi,
Ok, Tractors are new to me but this was even a surprise. I must have driven over a rock with the front wheel on my 3320. There is a cup (looks like what would go over wheel bearings to protect them however this is somewhat horizontal, much where a tie rod would be on a car) of some kind under the end of the axle right behind the wheel at the bottom. There is green fluid leaking (again the cup is dented whereas I think I ran over a rock) from this cup, I can only say this appears to be antifreeze. First question is what is this cup, if it is just a cover to protect them it is not what is leaking and this could be a warrenty issue, however if it is what is leaking then I may own it. Second, is this just antifreeze in there? Not sure why it is not gear oil but before I top it off so I can run it I want to make **** sure. Please advise.
Thanks
Joe

 

[MarkV]

Wow, that is interesting Joe. I am not a JD guy but I sure don’t see how anti-freeze would get in the front axle housing. On the Kubota’s the same type of hydraulic fluid used in the rest of the tractor is used in the front axle. Does JD hydraulic fluid have a green tint to it? What fluid does your manual recommend for the front axle?

MarkV

 

[Bigdoggie]

Hey Mark,
Well.....I dont know. I think I was so confused I walked away I was sure it must have been coming down from above whereas it is thin and green just like antifreeze. Certainly not the consistancy of gear oils I have used in the past. But no matter how many times I wiped it, it sure seems to be coming from that area (out of the wheel cup do dad behind the wheel, lowest part of the axle). I was not sure if this was an abundantly obvios thing or not, I will dig a bit deeper and if anyone else knows off hand maybe they can let me know.
Thanks
Joe

 

[bjcsc]

I don't know if this will be helpful or not, but when I did my 100hr service, I also noticed a drop of antifreeze under my front axle. I back traced it (took forever with the loader arms in my way) to the temp sender. I tightened the temp sender about a half turn and solved the problem. Was happy to save the trip to the dealer...

I just read your other post. My drop was under the center of the axle housing, not by the wheel...

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Joe,
I really dont know anything about the JD3320 but all fluid info would be in the operators manual ! If you dont have one now may be a good time to get one. It gives all of your fluid capacities, grease points etc along with change frequency in hours ! Filter changes etc, almost mandatory unless your dealer is doing all the maintainance !

 

[Bigdoggie]

Thanks,
I remember many times when I drove crappy trucks chasing leaks and it being a real bear to find many of them, this is pretty clear to see but I have to believe it is coming from something else. I remember 20 years ago when one of my guys told me he sprung a leak in a tire on a rented Lull and antifreeze was spewing all over the place..........and after my rant I saw.....he was right. So with that said before I went crazy chasing a ghost only to find out "everyone knows they load the axle with antifreeze" I figured I would check. Ok, now I need to get on the glasses and really go looking. Thanks for the advice
Joe

 

[Bigdoggie]

Yes Scotty,
I will order the service manual, I figured I could get out of the warrenty first but for these questions it sure would be helpful. I do have the user manuals but this happend fast so I have not had time to check if there is info in there yet.
Thanks
Joe

 

[Killer_B]

Hi,
Ok, Tractors are new to me but this was even a surprise. I must have driven over a rock with the front wheel on my 3320. There is a cup (looks like what would go over wheel bearings to protect them however this is somewhat horizontal, much where a tie rod would be on a car) of some kind under the end of the axle right behind the wheel at the bottom. There is green fluid leaking (again the cup is dented whereas I think I ran over a rock) from this cup, I can only say this appears to be antifreeze. First question is what is this cup, if it is just a cover to protect them it is not what is leaking and this could be a warrenty issue, however if it is what is leaking then I may own it. Second, is this just antifreeze in there? Not sure why it is not gear oil but before I top it off so I can run it I want to make **** sure. Please advise.
Thanks
Joe

A photo of the problem would be very helpful in diagnosing it.

 

[Bigdoggie]

I am going to see exactly where it is coming from. It MUST be tracking from somewhere else. I will take a photo of it if I can see something odd.
Thanks
Joe

 

[eljefe]

The first time I checked the front axle fluid on my 110TLB when delivered new from factory last year, I noticed the hydraulic fluid had the bright green color of antifreeze. I called my dealer and asked same kind of question you are posing here about the color. I was told that the hydraulic fluid in axle had a green dye added to it at the factory to help check for leaks upon assembly. I cannot help you diagnose your actual leak problem, but maybe the fluid you are seeing is indeed just axle fluid alone with similar green dye added? Good luck fixing your problem.