GR2100 front axle fluid pouring out

[csr0831]

Wow...all the leaks I had with mine, I never had any trouble with the front axle...in fact I drained the fluid at 200 hours and it looked like new...go figure....

 

[NewEnglandCliff]

Long explanation. The original front transaxle dipstick kept working its way out, and eventually came out and was lost during a mowing. As a better (so I thought) replacement I used a properly sized rubber stopper. I screwed an eye bolt into the top and tied nylon string to that with the other end tied to the frame so it wouldn't be lost if it ever popped out. It worked great and never came out on its own. They say that was the problem. They say the stock stopper has ventilation built into it to prevent the buildup of pressure which can occur if the axle is overfilled and then the fluid heats from use. They say I overfilled it, pressure built, and the seal popped out.

This was after they forgot my GR was on their lot for 26 days awaiting repair. It should've been serviced by 7 days but, in spite of my calling or stopping by every 5 days, they never noticed they had tagged it wrongly and moved it out of the service area. Finally the service manager thought he'd better see what was taking so long and discovered the mistake.

The service was completed and I brought it home. I checked all the fluids and found that the front transaxle was empty. Nice. I filled it to the proper level and checked for leaks. Finding none, I began mowing and about 30 minutes into it I checked again. They'd replaced my original type of dip stick that had the taller, more easily grasped handle with the newer one with a very short handle. It wasn't easy to grasp, but it pulled off easily because there was pressure behind it. It popped off and fluid sprayed all over me. The fluid level was at the top, well above the normal range I'd filled it to. At least the seal hadn't popped out again.

Now I can't rule out the possibility that I may have overfilled the axle when I was using my own stopper, but I didn't overfill it this time. And this new dip stick sure isn't venting any pressure. I haven't used the tractor since then yet, but I'll try less fluid.

 

[locknut]

Long explanation. The original front transaxle dipstick kept working its way out, and eventually came out and was lost during a mowing. As a better (so I thought) replacement I used a properly sized rubber stopper. I screwed an eye bolt into the top and tied nylon string to that with the other end tied to the frame so it wouldn't be lost if it ever popped out. It worked great and never came out on its own. They say that was the problem. They say the stock stopper has ventilation built into it to prevent the buildup of pressure which can occur if the axle is overfilled and then the fluid heats from use. They say I overfilled it, pressure built, and the seal popped out.

This was after they forgot my GR was on their lot for 26 days awaiting repair. It should've been serviced by 7 days but, in spite of my calling or stopping by every 5 days, they never noticed they had tagged it wrongly and moved it out of the service area. Finally the service manager thought he'd better see what was taking so long and discovered the mistake.

The service was completed and I brought it home. I checked all the fluids and found that the front transaxle was empty. Nice. I filled it to the proper level and checked for leaks. Finding none, I began mowing and about 30 minutes into it I checked again. They'd replaced my original type of dip stick that had the taller, more easily grasped handle with the newer one with a very short handle. It wasn't easy to grasp, but it pulled off easily because there was pressure behind it. It popped off and fluid sprayed all over me. The fluid level was at the top, well above the normal range I'd filled it to. At least the seal hadn't popped out again.

Now I can't rule out the possibility that I may have overfilled the axle when I was using my own stopper, but I didn't overfill it this time. And this new dip stick sure isn't venting any pressure. I haven't used the tractor since then yet, but I'll try less fluid.

Did you or the servicing dealer look at the owners manual in respect to servicing the front axle? First of all,the dipstick does not provide ventilation.There are two ventilation plugs,one on each side of the axle at the top centerline at the outer ends.These are to be removed and cleaned,or replaced if necessary,when servicing the axle.Easier to do if the front wheels are removed first.

It's pretty obvious looking back what caused the seal to fail and your current problem of the fluid spewing out-the vent plugs are clogged.Shame on me for not referring to the manual when you first posted this problem.

 

[NewEnglandCliff]

Now THAT makes sense! I'm familiar with the manual and had actually gone through it prior to taking it in. The maintenance schedule only addresses changing the fluid, and further back there's a paragraph titled "Changing Front Axle Case Oil". I haven't changed the oil myself and never read that, nor did it occur to me that this paragraph might address my problem. But it did to you! No shame on you, you looked into it and probably solved my problem. Thank you very much for that!

This dealer, Chappell Tractor in Milford, NH, has been horrendously inept. It's too long a story to bother you with and too much typing. They've been around since 1955 but you'd think they were high school mechanics. Service and sales are horrible but they're the only game around and they treat you that way. They didn't check the manual either, but this should've occurred to them.

Thanks again!

 

[locknut]

Well,on the outside chance that the vent plugs are working ok,there could be a possibility of an internal issue causing a rapid heat rise that the vents can't handle quickly enough.Clean,and or replace the plugs and report back.

 

[locknut]

Ok,scratch my theory on the breathable vents.I just pulled one of the front wheels and popped the rubber vent plug.It looks to be solid rubber with a friction fit.Also pulled the dipstick and looked at it closely.It has two holes directly across from each other in the top of it,but no holes below the sealing surface.So, I plugged one hole with my thumb and shot some air in the opposite one.Observed oil bubbles at the point where the metal stick goes into the rubber.So there's your vent, I presume.Or, there's some other vent somewhere.Can't see the top center portion of the axle assy.Something strange goin on here.I don't understand why the dipstick came clear out in the first place.It can't come up very far till it hits the Glidesteer cable boot.I would think the axle would have to be grossly overfilled to cause the kind of pressure you've experienced all along.

For reference,the dipstick on mine measures 1-3/8" from the seal down to the full mark.1-5/8" on down to the bottom mark.

I won't use mine again till all the leaves are down,but I'll check when I'm done by pulling the stick and see if there's any pressure buildup and measure the axle temp with the laser thermometer.

 

[NewEnglandCliff]

Yes, I'd checked the dip stick after I was told it was venting and saw those holes, but didn't do any testing other than observing how it worked (or didn't). You must have a 2nd generation or later GR. I have the first one and these have plenty of space above the dip stick. The early dip sticks had a taller handle having a smaller diameter than the bottom part of the rubber that contacts the top of the axle, and the top of the handle had a flange to grasp, looking much like the tranny dip stick handle. They redesigned the glide steer cables due to problems, which put the cables close to the top of the dip stick. So they had to redesign the dipstick so that it was very short, looking simply like a small hockey puck with 2 small ridges in the sides, opposite each other. I was just looking for the location of the breathers and finally found them under packed debris. After thoroughly cleaning all around them but not having removed them, I could see that they wobbled when touched. I'm sure that's the design. I had to quit and do something else but I'll remove them tomorrow.