front diff both sides leaking gear oil GC 2310TLB 4WD

combanx · Feb 20, 2012

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to ask have any of you experanced both side leaking hydr fluid. Seems to be coming from where the joint is that the wheel turn on. Maybe there is a bearing or gasket in there somewhere, don't know. I know I filled it up this past summer sometime but never noticed it leaking. What would happen if I put too much in there, would it cause any damage. I wouldn't think so because there are only gears in there for the front wheel drive system. I parked it in the gargage and noticed this.
Any suggestions would be really helpful...thansk guys

reagrds

combanx

rsewill · Feb 20, 2012

I know nothing about your model but the front wheel drive system on my Deere CUT will build pressure because it is a sealed system. Get it hot enough and it would blow out the seals. I drilled a tiny vent hole in the filler cap.

DMW · Feb 21, 2012

It's strange that it would be leaking from both seals. That would lead me to suspect the fluid.
What brand of fluid did you fill the front axle with? Some cheaper brands will thin out when they get hot orthe additives get used up and start leaking through the seals. Another way that may help is to replace the fluid with a suitably rated gear oil rather than the UTF.

von-mil · Feb 21, 2012

DMW said:
Another way that may help is to replace the fluid with a suitably rated gear oil rather than the UTF.

My Kubota's manual recommends UDT OR SAE80 - SAE90 gear oil. I am currently using the UDT and almost always see a drop ready to fall from the case. This spring I will be draining and replacing with the much thicker gear oil and I suspect my leak will be gone.

ray66v · Feb 21, 2012

Yes, you can put gear oil in the front differential, and most here recommend it.

It may help slightly with leakage issues. However, it is a misconception that 80-90 gear oil substantially thicker than the hydraulic fluid.

The hydraulic fluid is approximately a 10w30 viscosity and the gear oil tested on the same scale, is approximately a 20w50 viscosity.

You can visually see there is not a big difference, with a simple pour test.

Someone here once mentioned replacing front axle seals, and I recall that it was not particularly difficult, or expensive (on the tractor parts scale), to do.

DMW · Feb 21, 2012

combanx said:
I parked it in the garage and noticed this.
combanx

One other thing to check is if the oil is actually coming from the axles. If the loader lift cylinder hoses are leaking, the oil can fall directly on the axles. I had to replace all 4 of mine at c.300 hours.