DK40 front bearing failure @ 1300 hours

[5030]

Well, new bearings, seals and outer case showed up today. Waiting for axle hub.

Any word on lead time?

 

[grsthegreat]

Not a clue…. No tracking info. Luckily not middle of winter snow

 

[JimR]

This is exactly the failure and the solution to failed fork bearings in my old Kawasaki street bike. The ball bearings failed, and roller bearings that had the same dimensions solved the problem. It was so common, the maker eventually went roller. Duh.

This brings back memories of the last 56 Chevy I owned. It had ball bearings on the front hubs. When they wore out for the second time I replaced them with a set of front hubs off a 63 Impala with tapered roller bearings. That ended my bearing problems.

 

[grsthegreat]

Looking thru the service manual, they use different kinds of bearings throughout the tractor. I dont think they use a certain kind of bearing to save some money. They use taper bearings in other parts of front axle assembly.

the floating seals have me a bit stumped. They dont seem to fit completely in cover. I cant find any info on their installation, and the manual doesnt detail their installation process. I did take the good axle apart, and i see they dont seat fully there either. So i take this to mean there not supposed to fully seat. i will call my service dealer to confirm this.

 

[southerniltractor]

I look forward to hear how your repair goes. I've got a bit less than 700 hours on my DK40se hst and intend to replace bearings at 1000 hours a preventative maintenance.

Oh, I just saw your Aug 16 post GRS. Like you, I didn't find much info on how the seals are installed in my service manual. What did your dealer have to say?

 

[grsthegreat]

They told me to coat them with rubbing alcohol and simply push them into place. I did that on both sides and install went easy. Been up and running for little over a week.

 

[5030]

the floating seals have me a bit stumped.

On my Kubota's the floating radial seal is set using an appropriate sized seal driver on in my case. a large 1" drive socket. Don't seat all that far either as the upper knuckle has to apply sealing pressure to it.

 

[grsthegreat]

On the kioti they dont seal completely, they sit slightly raised on both the cover and the axle. I had to physically push both sides together till they bottom out inorder to get the split ring to lock inplace. This is how the manual and the service dealer told me to do it. Once split ring is installed and pressure is released, the 2 parts separate slightly, allowing for movement. The O ring allows for movement of the seal. I guess this technology is over 100 years old according to what i read on the matter. You wouldnt think it would make for a good seal, but no leaks.

 

[5030]

All that is important. Of course the radial seal never has continuous oil against it anyway and on my Kubota's the top zerk on each outboard keeps the radial seal filled with grease.

 

[repete]

This used to be a common failure in the front end of my L2550DT. When the wheels are reversed to gain additional width of the front end the entire front end load is placed on the outer bearing as opposed to being distributed between both bearings.
I know a lot will respond with a disagreement but I can only share my experiences as I turn 6300 hours on my 2550.