LS 3033H front axle leak

[AUSTENNN10]

Purchased new in 2013 the above tractor has developed a small dip leak from the front axle center drive shaft area. It is dripping from just below the zerk in the attached picture. When greasing that area expands so there has to be a seal behind the endcap. 186 hours and the dealer is 360 miles away. I can use tools but anyone know what is entailed in fixing this? Just greased. Thanks in advance.



Additional information:

The front axle oil is honey colored, the drip is dark green like my grease but the viscosity of oil. Attached is a parts diagram showing a bushing and O ring. I recently greased the tractor.
It looks like an easy repair to replace the O ring. Two bolts and slide off the endcap. Replace bushing and O ring. Oil will flow but maybe a good time to replace it. Could grease have gotten past the O ring? I need inspect that when I get to doing this. I need to review frame structure to see if any of the frame or motor is supported by the endcap as the 2 bolts holding it on are pretty big. Survive Covid sane and healthy just to get crushed by a motor. I just reread my post and its possible that I am not as sane as I think I am.

View attachment Leak.pdf

 

[Avenger]

First, 186 hours on a 7 year old tractor is not much. I suspect that tractor sits a while. Sitting tractors will have seal issues like this from time to time. Drive it around, even if it is to go get the mail and back once a week.

Second, sounds like your on the right track. Contact your dealer via phone or email, ask for a seal kit for what your doing. Get the parts coming. Most dealers are willing to ship the parts to you. If not, contact an LS dealer in the country that will.
Try locating a shop/service manual for your tractor. I have one for mine, but it is way different than your machine.
That oil is bad and needs to be replaced. At a minimum, you need to do an oil change.
Be careful when greasing, as to not over grease.
And your right, looking at your photo, you probably need to drain the oil, pull those two bolts down, replace the seal (that was probably damaged due to sitting and/or over greasing), clean everything well, put it back together and keep an eye out for future leaks. Check the oil from time to time for color and viscosity.

 

[AUSTENNN10]

Well Avenger you got it right. I cleaned up the floor earlier in the week and now there was no more leaked oil on the floor. So I was thinking that something was righting itself. I read an article about over greasing and went out to the garage to remove the zerk. About 1/2 out grease started squeezing out the threads. Then with a loud pop the zerk shot out with a blob of grease. My first concern was the I tore the first threads off but no I got lucky. My first tractor so I have some reading to do about greasing. I plan on checking the non open grease sites later today by removing the zerks. No leaks as of today and and axle oil change is planned. Thanks for the insight.

 

[3Lfarms]

I think your grease is just separating. The oil comes out and leaves the solids behind.
I would encourage you to grease it a little more often. Not grease it a lot in one go, but if it sits for months at a time, I like to add a little grease prior to putting mine away and again before putting it to work.

 

[PCABE5]

If the oil is green colored like your grease then I agree with 3LFarms, the base oil is separating from the grease. Not to uncommon to see that and even your grease gun may leak a little by the plunger as well.

If it was gear oil, it has a very distinctive smell.