Front Axle Seal Replacement

[Omnipotent]

As the subject says, think I blew a seal (haven't looked well yet, oil all over inner tire) wondering has anyone replaced one and difficulty level? Done it on cars many times never a tractor though. Hate to have dealer do something that could be done at home. CT335 2010 FYI.

 

[winston1]

Are you thinking it is the knuckle seal? Reference numbers 13 & 14 here. At home is very possible, sorta depends on your mechanical abiility.

 

[Omnipotent]

Yep, went out and checked it out yesterday and definitely looks to be coming from there. Wish I had a service manual but watched a few vids from other tractors, looks fairly straight forward.

 

[Omnipotent]

Alright, so here is a question...since I'm leaking out of the bottom side of the bevel gear/knuckle, it appears to have a "cap" that can be pried off and then I assume reveal the seal and o-ring. Everyone I've seen do this is replacing the top seal and therefore has to remove the whole hub from the axle....I'm wondering if I can just go in from the bottom and replace just the seal, thoughts?

 

[fried1765]

Alright, so here is a question...since I'm leaking out of the bottom side of the bevel gear/knuckle, it appears to have a "cap" that can be pried off and then I assume reveal the seal and o-ring. Everyone I've seen do this is replacing the top seal and therefore has to remove the whole hub from the axle....I'm wondering if I can just go in from the bottom and replace just the seal, thoughts?

"Omnipotent"......should have no problems at all!

 

[Omnipotent]

My Omnipotence is a little off-kilter thanks to this COVID - LOL

 

[Omnipotent]

OK, so after some more investigating (still haven't taken anything apart as I'd like to get the parts ordered so I can fix it at once), in any event....it looks like #16 is what I need, but they also don't show the bottom/end cap that you pry off....In another video of a Kubota I think, that cap looked like a seal as well, whereas 16 says a plug and not a seal. So the question is, does anyone know where that bottom cap is in the drawings or a part #?

 

[winston1]

It is #16. #1 in figure 40-80-18 on this drawing out of a CT235 manual, I expect yours very similar.

 

[Omnipotent]

Nice and thanks. I probably should break down and by the service manual.....the only vehicle I own that I don't have the manual for is this darn tractor.

 

[powerscol]

Nice and thanks. I probably should break down and by the service manual.....the only vehicle I own that I don't have the manual for is this darn tractor.

Is you dealer service folks friendly? Might give them a call and see if they will tell you how. Mine do it all the time as they are so backed up. Then again they tell me it will cost double if I take it to them after I fix it. I had a mystery quick connect failure that took them all of 5 minutes to find after I spent all day (bucket curl problem). He fixed it on the trailer - $20 ten minutes later and I was on my way home.

 

[Omnipotent]

OK folks...think the problem just got more expensive....turns out the issue is in the following:

#7 Bearing was shredded, that in turn caused group #2 to shred and then the real issue....#1 on the base of the axle shaft there is a small (1/16 maybe 1/8 nick) and (it gets worse) #5 where it seats against #1 is all eaten up and chunks missing.

I could grasp pictures if needed but I think the diagram and my explanation should suffice....the question is #5, that's all integrated as one piece, correct? I can't press out the damaged pieces and replace just them? Regarding the nick on #1, does that nick require replacement of that as well, or can I sand it relatively smooth (ie, take away the edges) or would that ruin the seal for the #2 group.

I think I know these answers, just hoping that someone else has some real word experience.

Thanks

 

[winston1]

Without being there and seeing the parts I couldn't make a helpful comment. Not sure I am understanding #5 integrated as one piece? All those pieces are individual other than the seal.

 

[Omnipotent]

Thanks...I ended up bringing the axle and cover to bobcat...the axle is good with a touch of sanding to remove the burs, however the cover needed replacement. Essentially after the seals a bearings are removed there is the bearing race and then machined parts that are machined into the cover itself, that's what was trashed, so new cover on order. Downside is a backorder....2 weeks, 10 weeks, no idea. Not good for a guy who uses it to mow his yard every week....