JD 4600 4WD Leaking Front Axle

[pmsmechanic]

On my tractor #29 was leaking and also #19/#5. On my tractor those two pieces came as a set. #5 is a steel wear ring.

At first they would only leak as the differential warmed up. Towards the end they were both leaking constantly. The rim/tire was coated in oil.

I don't know of a third seal.

#28 is easy to remove if just the wheel seal is leaking. And really the rest isn't that hard to remove either if the spindle seal is also leaking. It just takes time.

Also I spent some time brousing John Deere's parts web site. Make sure you use the right parts diagram. There are three different ones for the front drive. #14 is a heavy duty snap ring. You'll need a heavy duty set of snap ring plyers to remove it. #11 is the nut that I was able to remove with just a punch and later built the socket. My nut was held from turning with a lock washer with tabs on it that got bent into the slots in the nut

I was able to make the socket by using a 4" piece of exhaust tubing and pushed the nut into it with my hydraulic press. I then carefully sawed the pipe to fit into the slots in the nut, tapped the cut pieces into the slots and again carefully welded the cuts up. I then welded an old socket onto the other end and I had enough of a socket to handle the 14(?) ft lbs of torque called for.

 

[CADplans]

When I added the lube last summer, I went with the "real deal" and got the hygaurd. I was surprised at the low viscosity of this stuff versus the normal heavy weight 80/90 gear lube. Maybe if I put in the heavier gear lube, my leak may drop off substantially. It's comforting to know that its a 3 hour job for a first-timer. Might as well change all 3 seals in there while it's apart.

How much do you want to bet that the dealer service dept charges 3 hours of time per side??? I should get a call back from them today with their estimate.

My JD 4105 had that leak issue,,

I drained the Hygard,, I think there were three drains.
I bought a 2 gallon jug of 140WT at Tractor Supply.
I filled the front axle, mowed for 2 hours, then drained the axle again,, and refilled the axle with 140WT,, again.

That was 2 years ago,, not a drop leaks,, ever,,
The tractor gets serious use,, I plowed 6" of dense, heavy snow for 2 hours today,,
the front axle gets chains so that I can steer in the snow,, the front axle is not babied. (no rear chains, only front)

IMHO, what oil you use in the front axle is your choice.

 

[DanMc77]

Just got a call back from the dealer. Assuming that they only have to replace some worn-out seals, replacing them is $1500-2000. The seal kit for each side is $50. He said it was around 6 hours labor.

So on the high side, $1900/6 = $317/hour. I would call this stinkin' thinkin'.

 

[DanMc77]

CADPlans: I see that you run chains only in the front. I was cautioned to never run chains only in the front because it can overload the axle and you can end up twisting it.

I think I'll try the 90W gear oil and see if the leak stops!!!! Maybe they like the lighter Hyguard because it increases service revenue due to leaks!!!!!!!!!

 

[CADplans]

CADPlans: I see that you run chains only in the front. I was cautioned to never run chains only in the front because it can overload the axle and you can end up twisting it.

I think I'll try the 90W gear oil and see if the leak stops!!!! Maybe they like the lighter Hyguard because it increases service revenue due to leaks!!!!!!!!!

I only run chains when I plow snow with the rear blade,,
and,,
the main reason for the chains is that the 4105 does not have steering brakes.
The worn R4 tires on the front has as much side traction as a drag racing slick.
So,, the chains allows me to direct the tractor in the direction that I want to go,,,

Actually, next time it snows, I think I will try 2WD,, with the front chains.
I would bet the tractor would work in 2WD nearly as well as 4WD.

In 2WD, I will be able to steer, and there will be no worries about excess load on the front axle,,,

The 4105 is virtually identical to a Ford 8N,, as far as wheelbase, width, tire size, etc,,.
The BIG difference is the Ford has steering brakes,,,

About the only thing I run that has gear oil is the Troy Bilt tiller.
The Troy Bilt calls for 140WT, that is the main reason I got 140,, instead of 90WT.

 

[beenthere]

the main reason for the chains is that the 4105 does not have steering brakes.

That is indeed a surprise.. wonder what JD was thinking?

 

[pmsmechanic]

That is indeed a surprise.. wonder what JD was thinking?

I'm guessing they just cut corners to help be price competitive. The thought went through my mind that the steering brakes from another model might just bolt up. What model is the 4105 a striped down version of?

 

[CADplans]

I'm guessing they just cut corners to help be price competitive. The thought went through my mind that the steering brakes from another model might just bolt up. What model is the 4105 a striped down version of?

It is a hydrostatic transmission,, with floor pedal transmission control. I would imagine that the market JD was going after is the doctor spreading a little bit of wood shavings for the horses.
Those DR's would not know a steering brake from a starter crank,,

anyways, having two steering brakes, and two transmission control pedals ,, plus a parking brake pedal would overwhelm most DR's that I have met. :laughing: LOL!!

We also have a JD 855,, it has all 5 of those pedals, so I know it can be done,,

I have seen posts on TBN where people claim they never have used the steering brakes,, go figure!! :confused2:

 

[beenthere]

What model is the 4105 a striped down version of?

Appears the model 4005 had dual brakes ('08-'14) but the next model 4105 just a single brake.

With hydrostatic, seems individual brakes are used less.. but plowing snow today, I used them quite often to stop a slipping wheel and get traction on the other one. Could have used positraction but prefer to save that option especially if a wheel is slipping.
Turning sharp is another need for individual brakes.
Would even like that option on my 4xx lawn tractors and pondered how to add some simple disc brakes with some hand levers near the fenders to accomplish that.. but haven't pushed that idea hard at all. The AWS option will get one out of slippery conditions handily as well as for turning.

Hope the front axle oil change stops the bleeding. Let us know.. pls.

 

[DanMc77]

Even my 332 has steering brakes. I have another thread over on the JD Lawn and Garden forum, discussing upgrading the 332 with the slightly larger 4WD 2210. I never thought to consider if the 2210 has steering brakes. I think it doesn't.

Maybe I should go all the way to the 140W oil. I'm sure there's a thread here that discusses what oil people use in the axles.