Is this the typical BX front axle leak?

[keyhan]

I love my BX 25, but like every one else I have a lot of problem with front axel leak, booths, and worn out tool box. This is not maintenance problem. They keep fixing and it keep wearing out too quick. I only have 300 hours and I have already change the seals twice and now it is going for the third time. Other wise I think it is amazing machine, I dig roads and absolutely do every thing with it on my property. Kubota should have an option to improve the quality and I don't think anyone minds to pay a little more and have something like Toyota, or Yamaha, Honda, design to work. I wish Kubota takes care of that pretty soon.
However, I had John Deer before and by 99 hours I gave it back (hydraulic, hardware, welding,.... problem), since 98 hours of that was sitting in the John Deer shop and the service was like a robbery. Under warranty they keep charging me and saying oh this or that is not warrantied.

 

[MoreCowbell]

I noticed this leak on my BX2350. Then I did a search on the forum and found that others have experienced a front axle leak as well. Is it often in the same place?
I noticed that some indicated that switching to 80W gear oil may stop the leak, but I'd still prefer to change the seal and then switch the oil if that's what is recommended.

I'm wondering if this is not a result of the seals going bad but rather a build up of pressure in the axle due to temperature changes. When I remove the dipstick from the axle on my BX2350 I always hear a puff of air going in or out. Perhaps these leaks are from good seals that are not designed to encounter pressure behind them.

I'm thinking there should be some kind of filtered breather built into the dipstick or somewhere else on the top of the axle.

 

[JJPP]

MoreCowbell,
This is the exact cause of 90% of these leaks. I had to order seals so I ordered another dipstick to modify with a vent. I drilled a small hole through it past the o-ring allowing it to vent pressure as an experiment. Low and behold no more leak... I have been running 75w140 for a while and with the modified dipstick I no longer have the leak that I had for several years.
I have a new sealed dipstick if I am going to experience any chance of water but through 2 years of snow and yard work I have no reason to worry.

 

[sixdogs]

I'm wondering if this is not a result of the seals going bad but rather a build up of pressure in the axle due to temperature changes. When I remove the dipstick from the axle on my BX2350 I always hear a puff of air going in or out. Perhaps these leaks are from good seals that are not designed to encounter pressure behind them.

I'm thinking there should be some kind of filtered breather built into the dipstick or somewhere else on the top of the axle.

MoreCowbell,
This is the exact cause of 90% of these leaks. I had to order seals so I ordered another dipstick to modify with a vent. I drilled a small hole through it past the o-ring allowing it to vent pressure as an experiment. Low and behold no more leak... I have been running 75w140 for a while and with the modified dipstick I no longer have the leak that I had for several years.
I have a new sealed dipstick if I am going to experience any chance of water but through 2 years of snow and yard work I have no reason to worry.

I have theory on this that I discussed in a different thread and dealing with the use of either SUDT2 or gear oil in the front axles and hubs. It is my feeling that the use of gear oil builds up greater pressure in the front axle than SUDT2 and I base that on hearing that puff of air when I check an axle with gear oil in it. I don't hear, or can't recall, the puff with SUDT2. Maybe that's why Kubota uses and prefers SUDT2 in front hubs and axles? I don't know but it seems to make sense.