Front Axle Leak (2008 CK30 Gear)

[ecrane99]

I noticed a small puddle under the tractor today. My front axle oil has apparentley been leaking. It must have just happened because this is the first time I noticed the puddle where I park the tractor. It took two liters to fill the front axle up to the check hole. Total capacity is 4.5 Liters. The other side is not leaking.

I took the wheel off to find the leak at the hub gasket (not sure if thats what its called) see attached pics. There is a gasket that sits between the hub (see pic with the 8 bolts holding the hub on)

If I order this gasket, do you think it will be an easy job? Any special tools needed to pull it apart?

Thanks. PS: my tractor is still covered by the 4 yr warranty that came with the 2008 models.

Thanks for any comments/advice

 

[VictorW]

It's strange that it would just start leaking where you mentioned. Is it possible that the leak is coming from where the axle shaft, straight above and in the middle, comes through that round section with the eight bolts? There should be an axle seal there that I think would leak before the gasket you mentioned. Just a thought. I've never had to take mine apart so I can't help you with job.

 

[o2batsea]

Drain the axle. Undo the steering and tie rod ends. Take out the 8 bolts that hold the bevel gear housing to the axle pivot. The bevel gear and all will come off (and oil will glop out). The axle is held in place with a snap ring, so remove it and the axle will separate from the bevel gear and bearings. Once you have it apart it's pretty easy to see what's what. Knock out the old seal and pop in a new one.
The bevel gear housing has a big o ring for a seal, and they also use silicone as a gasket material.
You'll find there's a lot of cleaning up to do before putting it back together.
It's not that hard a job, and one that I would probably not bother Mr Kioti about myself, especially if it meant taking the tractor in for the service. It's about an hour's job.

You can use the tractor with the leak as long as you keep the oil level up in the axle housing. Order the parts now and do the job when you get them.

 

[ecrane99]

It's strange that it would just start leaking where you mentioned. Is it possible that the leak is coming from where the axle shaft, straight above and in the middle, comes through that round section with the eight bolts? .

Victor, No it is defenetly leaking from between where the 8 bolts hold the two assemblies together. I think I need item#10 in the attached diagram.

Thanks o2batsea, I going to consider doing it myself.

 

[o2batsea]

If it's just the bevel gear housing o-ring, it's even easier. Be sure to clean the mating surfaces well and use a skim of RTV sealant.
Not a surprise that it failed. O-rings do have a tendency to split.

 

[VictorW]

From your parts breakdown sheet and what o2batsea mentioned, it looks like just doing the o-ring will be a fast job and definately not worth taking it to the dealer. You're halfway there after taking the wheel off. Drain the axle and eight more bolts. The steering and tie rod look like they attach to the part at the left of your diagram and shouldn't have to be removed. I think should they just give you the o-ring for your time. I hope mine doesn't ever leak but I'll know what to take apart. Thanks

 

[Gittyup]

I think if I had it apart, I'd replace the other seal(s) as well (items 6 and 7?).

 

[ecrane99]

Update:

I pulled the housing off and looked at the o ring. It looked ok to me. I noticed a gouge in the housing where the o ring sits. The gouge may have been big enough to prevent a good seal and allow the gear oil to get by.

I used light sandpaper to smooth it out, replaced the o ring with new.
Leak is fixed.

 

[VictorW]

You are on your way now to being a tractor mechanic. Good catch on the gouge you mentioned. The parts might gets tossed around a bit on the assembly line causeing the gouge which should have been seen when assembling but I guess time is money.

 

[o2batsea]

That was too easy.