Leaky Kubota B2400 Front Axle

[kenmissouri]

Has anyone else had a leaky front axle on a B2400? This was a new design of theirs in 1998 that uses o rings on the front axle pivot point to seal the fluid inside. It always leaks at the pivot despite having been repaired twice already (new o rings twice, pinion seal and new housing last time). The dealer did it the first two times and I'm about to tackle it this weekend again. Yes, it does have an adjustment screw for tension that is set according to factory specs.

 

[digger2]

Is it the outer ends where the axle actually pivots to steer the tractor?
If so,its prob. the same basic design as my previous B7610,and my
latest machine,a B26.I took my B7610 back to the dealer twice to have these
O-rings replaced,and it only had less than 200 hrs. on it.
I've heard all kinds of reasons for this leaking O-ring problem.Everything from lifting too much weight with the FEL with no rear counterweight (which does'nt make sense to me),
to the axle not having a vent and pressure building up in the front axle due to fluid temp. increase. (not too sure about that either)
I will say Kubota must have thought something of the "vent" idea because
i dont think my B7610 had a vent on the front axle,where as my B26 does.
Its the same basic design.If you do a search for "front axle vent",there was a guy who added a vent to his front axle,cant remember what model tractor,but it was a Kubota.
You're not alone with this problem.You'll find alot of other guys with the same complaint............good luck,digger2.

 

[digger2]

Oh,by the way.
When i had my B7610 back at the dealer to be fixed,he said the seals
were the "new and improved" seals.Yeah,right!!!! Maybe.....but i think its just sort of a weak point in the design.
digger2

 

[kenmissouri]

Digger,

The pivot is actually at the center for mine and all it does is allow the solid axle to pivot at the center to allow one wheel to be lower than the other. The wheels actually turn at the ends of the axle, another o ring that hasn't leaked. I wish I had a picture at this point because it sounds like a similar thing. The vent could be accomplished thru the filler plug which is also the dipstick. It's something that makes sense to me as heat does cause air (and fluid) to expand. All auto/ truck rear axles are vented. Dirt can enter over time to the o rings but it only took about 80 hours last time. My dealer says he hasn't had similar problems with the design but would they admit it? Kubota wouldn't like that. The dealer service manager was actually very understanding that I had a 3rd repeat problem and zeroxed their shop manual procedure plus giving other helpful advice. He don't want it back either.

Ken

 

[digger2]

O.K.,little misunderstanding there as to where your leak is.Hope your repair job lasts longer this time.....GOOD LUCK...Digger2

 

[Rockweld]

I'm glad I found the thread. I have a B2400 with the very same issues. It's beginning to look like the Front axle oil seal issue is inherent in the B2400's. I love the tractor. For it's small size it's a real work horse but I'm a stickler about maintenance and machines running in good working order so this seal issue is one I will have to take on as soon as I can clear some time. If anyone has any suggestions from experience, I'd love some input. First hand experience is always valuable.