dex3361
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,494
- Location
- N. of Charleston WV
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
Are the number different in the Parts book if you buy it from Kubota?
BX 1500 front axle leak
- Thread starter Molerj
- Start date
- Views: 17176
Are the number different in the Parts book if you buy it from Kubota?
spurlocktool
Bronze Member
My BX1500 had what appeared to be a steering knuckle leak, left side, while still under warranty. Took it to the dealer who replaced the seals. Brought it home and it still leaked. Dealer replaced again, and it still leaked. So I finally cleaned the area thoroughly and watched it closely. After an hour or so I finally found the problem: a hairline crack in the gear case. The crack was about an inch long, directly behind and slightly above the steering pivot, so the oil would collect in that joint and appear to be a leaking seal. The crack was only visible under real strong light. Dealer replaced the casting and now after several years and 750 hours no more leaking.
But I had also noticed whenever I removed the fill plugs the front axle always had lots of pressure built up inside, so much that the plug would shoot out of my hand when it cleared the last thread. So to play it safe, after the casting was replaced I vented the axle, figuring that can only make it easier for the seals to do their job. I drilled and threaded one of the filler plugs for a 1/4" barbed hose fitting and ran a hose (1/4" fuel line) from there up inside the cowling to just under the hood. A small inline fuel filter on the end of the hose keeps dust out. Surprisingly, axle pressure is enough to drive a small amount of oil out the top of the hose after hard running. I can't imagine expecting the seals not to weep with pressure like that.
But I had also noticed whenever I removed the fill plugs the front axle always had lots of pressure built up inside, so much that the plug would shoot out of my hand when it cleared the last thread. So to play it safe, after the casting was replaced I vented the axle, figuring that can only make it easier for the seals to do their job. I drilled and threaded one of the filler plugs for a 1/4" barbed hose fitting and ran a hose (1/4" fuel line) from there up inside the cowling to just under the hood. A small inline fuel filter on the end of the hose keeps dust out. Surprisingly, axle pressure is enough to drive a small amount of oil out the top of the hose after hard running. I can't imagine expecting the seals not to weep with pressure like that.
