Changing front axle seals on BX

[Tollster]

Anyone here ever change their own axle seals on the front axle of a BX? How difficult is it and where do you start to break down the assembly?

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Hi,

I haven't had to do this yet. I entered "front axle seals on BX" in the search box and came up with a bunch of hits.

Any of those helpful?

Z.

 

[Tollster]

Thank you, that may have done the trick, I ended up at another site called "everything orange" and it looks like there have been other posts on the subject with feedback.
Thanks again Gypsy.
`Tol

 

[Deano]

Are you talking about the pivot seals? I changed mine.

 

[Tollster]

Are you talking about the pivot seals? I changed mine.

The ones at the joint between the axle and the wheels that allow the wheels to turn left and right, seen here behind the tie rod.

 

[Tollster]

I was able to separate the wheel hub from the axle case today, I took pictures and will document it for future information here at TBN, but I ran into an issue trying to remove the seal. How do you get the bugger out? Its about 2" diameter, and the wheel drive shaft protrudes in the middle of the seal assembly about 2.5" above the seal face.

Its pressed into the lower assembly as seen above and has a internal metal band molded into the rubber seal. I cannot get it to budge. Naturally I don't have a seal puller either. Any ideas?

I put the new seal in the freezer, hoping it'll shrink just enough with a little grease to get it seated.

Anyway, I'm in a holding pattern until I get the old one out. I thought about sinking a couple wood screws in the face of the old seal, but not sure if pliers on the ends will dislodge it or not?

 

[Tollster]

I have not had too many hits, but for those that receive pride out of knowing it's done right by doing it yourself, here are some pictures and information that may help on replacing those seals.

Tools needed:
Floor jack
Jack stands
14, 17, and 19 MM box ends
External "C" clip pliers
Small and large screw drivers
Oil pan catch
Rags
Seal puller
RTV sealant.

After safely supporting the tractor on the stands, remove wheel and bevel gear assembly (Nuts on hub behind wheel), it will look like this then:

Use the floor jack to unload the "C" clip visible here:

Loosen the tie rod with the jack still in place

And lower the Hub assembly.

With that done, you'll see the axle stub.

Take the Hub assembly to the work bench and proceed to remove seal.

Be sure to protect the bearing's from any dirt once you get to the bench, I used a lot of shop towels to keep them clean.

I hope this helps, it was new to me, but knew I had the time, and felt comfortable doing it myself.
~Tol

 

[swatter]

Few questions. Did freezing the new seal work? How many hours did you get on the tractor before the old seal failed? And about how long did it take to get the job done.

 

[Tollster]

I think freezing it mad the install easier, it slipped in a .25" by hand before I used the socket.

I was at 425 hours, and installed axle extensions this past july, whether that contributed to the failure I don't know, but the tractor moved 400,000 lbs of stone this summer, so that certainly didn't help.

Time wise, I drained it down Friday and disassembled everything, but could not get the seal removed, I went to my buddies farm and we search all his father in laws tool boxes and no seal puller, so sunday I picked one up at sears. I put it back together today within an hour.

I wasn't in a hurry and typically take my time cleaning and inspecting, I think after doing one, the other one will take less than two hours, and I'm fussy.

Sorry about the misspellings in the images, I couldn't see it as I was typing, and I am not a typer..LOL

 

[Herkypilot]

Tol, Thanks for posting with pics.