BX 1850 Front Axle

[drag_slick]

Hello, question for the experts. I've read a bunch of posts about leaky front axles in BX's and I'm looking for some advice now that mine started to leak. The tractor has about 180 hrs on it and has seen it's fair share of snow duty this winter. I've recently purchased a Buhler 5010 for it, as I've run out of places to push snow with my truck.

The tractor has recently started weeping down the back of the knuckle at the end of the axle on the drivers side. Just wondering if there's an o-ring, seal, etc. there, or should I just put gear oil in and call it good?

It's weeping from the area inside the yellow box.

Thanks!

 

[CHDinCT]

drag_slick,

I"m no expert but after I purchased my BX1860, I went to the dealer to buy some extra oil for the engine, transmission and front axle just in case I needed to top it off. When I asked the service guys what I should use for the front axle, they told me it comes with SUDT in it and to stick with that until or unless I get weeping. Told me if that happens to change to gear oil since it's heavier and shouldn't get by the seals as easily. Apparently, some weeping is not unusual when using SUDT. I'd probably try changing out to the gear oil first to see if that stops the issue.

 

[drag_slick]

I did talk to one of the service guys out at the dealership and he said "fix the seal" and keep running SUDT, "because Kubota ships them with SUDT"

I don't trust their service department, despite never having anything serviced there. I can never get anybody to call me back. When the recall happened for the seat stopper, I contacted them to get on the schedule and they said they would call me, they never did. I would bug them every 3 or 4 months, and finally after 2 YEARS, I went out there and just got the parts from them and did it myself.

I've also been waiting on them for a month to come check the front driveshaft out because they put the bottom loader bolt in with the nut on the inside and it's rounded off the front driveshaft due to rubbing. I found my answer to that problem here too.

It's sad when you don't trust them, when they haven't even worked on it yet.

Thanks for letting me vent....

I think I'll probably try gear oil first. I wish it wasn't so cold up here so that it would drain out good. To those that have switched, did you just drain and refill, or flush out the front axle somehow?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[mjym]

their all like that all the seal leak after a while i hade to change both on my bx 1830

 

[mjym]

their all like that all the seal leak after a while i had to change both on my bx 1830

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

their all like that all the seal leak after a while i had to change both on my bx 1830

How difficult of a job is it to change? Mine started to leak too the other day after 7 years use.

 

[kevinj]

How difficult of a job is it to change? Mine started to leak too the other day after 7 years use.

They are very easy to change. My B was about 50.00 for both sides. There are 2 sets of seals per side. If you get a parts breakdown you can see it is a simple design.

For the OP.... If it less is than 3 years old it should be a warranty item as your hours are low. I would check with a dealer or read you info for the exact warranty on the front axle.

 

[CHDinCT]

If you have a compressor and the right size rubber nozzle you can try putting some compressed air (maybe 25PSI) into the axle using the rubber nozzle to force out as much of the SUDT as possible. Just don't drop the rubber nozzle into the fill hole on the axle. Maybe try this with one drain plug open at a time.

 

[myharley]

I have had oil leaks on my bx 1850 at the same place right front axel. First problem was a very slow drip and had the dealer fix it under warranty. Then it occured again weeping when it was in use. Only under use. I sent it back to the dealer but it still does it. The dealer has good service technicians so I am not certain there is a fix. Hardly any oil but just enough to notice a slight coating same place as the picture. I believe what is occuring is when you run it hard, the heat expands the air and oil resulting in a pressure build up that pushes oil out the pivot area. I have actually pulled the dip stick on the axel when it was warm and it popped off from internal pressure. Any comments?

 

[drag_slick]

I finally got to the bottom of mine in the spring after replacing the seals again. It actually turned out to be a pinhole leak in the casting above where the yellow box is in the picture, it was just collecting on that lip before it would be a big enough drip to run down.

Dealer replaced the casting under warranty and it's been dry since. :thumbsup: