M59 front drive shaft leak.

[Hersheyfarm]

Is the front axle still hissing when the plug is removed? If the venting system is working they can't do that. And if it is holding pressure in the axle housing then seals probably aren't going to solve the problem for long.

About what kind of shop to use, my own preference is for a well equipped independent shop.

good luck, rScotty

might have me mixed up with another user, don't think I have ever had a hissing front axle. That would be a gift at this point. My leak is the propellar shaft seal at transmission. And I agree, a well equipped independent dealer would be nice. Maybe put the adjective 'clean' in there and that would be even better.

 

[rScotty]

might have me mixed up with another user, don't think I have ever had a hissing front axle. That would be a gift at this point. My leak is the propellar shaft seal at transmission. And I agree, a well equipped independent dealer would be nice. Maybe put the adjective 'clean' in there and that would be even better.

Yep, my bad. The hissing front axle housing was another user with an L5240 but posted on this thread. Our M59s are vented, although I mentioned it because on mine the vent hose was crimped with a plastic tie so that it couldn't let the pressure out. It came that way. Maybe done during shipping.
Hoping yours would be the same because as you say it would be a real gift of a fix.
And hope you find a good mechanic; I wouldn't even know where to look around here and getting too old to do it myself anymore. Locally there aren't a lot of young mechanics chosing that for a career like there used to be.
rScotty

 

[Hersheyfarm]

there really is no reason not to have an access plate at bottom of mid case. Especially if seal can fail under 500 hours. I thought about cutting bottom out, then drilling and tapping it back on.

 

[ns_in_tex]

I take it to a dealer tomorrow to get fixed. One thing I noticed about kubota dealers in general... They are either part of a bigger dealership(deere or new holland) that is unaffordable, or independent at what seems to be a used implement dealer. Atleast that is my impression. Prices have varied from around 1k-1600-5000+. The bigger dealers want it left on lot with at least 2 weeks before they can get to it. So lets see where my decision of lower price and immediate attention get me. The leak has become a steady drip when it is very hot from use, mild when not hot.

This is probably too late, but wanted to pass it on to you and others.
Circumstances not closely related but, on our L4610 with 3200 hrs, we had a slow drip from somewhere on our front axle. Would leave about a 3" circle on concrete after sitting a day.

I think we found on tractorbynet, someone who highly recommended ATP AT-205 reseal oil stop leak which solved a problem for him, so we decided we would try it. We went to every auto parts store we could find and no one had this product. They had lots of others, but all had a different product for different leak jobs. The ATP AT-205 says it works in all oil type applications. We found it online at summitracing.com. Purchased a 8oz can for 16.92 delivered price. Installed it 2 months ago and so far, no more oil spots.

I am sure, on my next oil seal leak, we will try it again.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Little update..
Dropped off at dealer last Monday and today it is back together except front drive shaft. Waiting on sleeve that slides over propellar shaft to keep the seal collars from backing out. Funny thing is dealer said propellar shaft was not leaking, it was the main transmission seal. So both seals are replaced. Sorry no pics but no way to get time to go by dealer. I will say the m59 is pretty worthless without the backhoe on and not in 4 wheel drive, very front heavy and get no traction in rear.