TC34DA Needs New Right Rear Axle Seal

[Norcal M5]

Hi Folks,
Anyone have any experience replacing a rear axle seal on a small New Holland? At first blush it looks like the axle housing may have to come off. Major or simple? Will I need a manual?

Norcal

 

[jinman]

Norcal, while your axle component arrangement is a bit different than the one shown in Kharman's thread about his TC40D, it also has to be removed so that you can get to the lockring clip behind the large final gear. In your tractor, you have a locknut on the end of the axle shaft that is not on the TC40D. I believe that will allow you to remove the axle without having to use a bearing puller, but you might need the puller for the inside bearing behind the final gear and lockring clip. I'm also pretty sure that you will find you need a special tool to drive the new seal into the seal retainer. If you are skilled, you can probably make one, but don't try to install the seal without some kind of tool that will drive it without deforming it.

EDIT: I would not want to do this job without a manual. It's not as complex as working on the differential, but there are lots of careful steps given in the Repair Manual that you might miss otherwise. I also think you'll need a transmission jack or other suitable adjustable platform to comfortably remove the rear axle housing. A floor jack might be sufficient.

 

[TractorTech]

Often, if the old seal comes out in decent shape, it can be used as a driver/guide to install the new seal without damaging the new seal. Pay attention to where the present seal is installed in the housing. Generally, it will be seated all the way in the bore, but double check before removing.

 

[djradz]

Not sure if this is the case here, but many of the NH (and Ford/NH before) seals had an internal race built into the seal, such that the seal is snug-tight in both the bore and on the shaft. Thus the actual sealing surface is the rubber within the steal against a metal race, internal to the seal.

I used a floor jack, which for your smaller tractor, should be fine if you can safely balance the rear drive.

 

[Norcal M5]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to go get the seal today. Hopefully, that's all I'll need. The service manual is $300, so I'm going to attempt without it. Hope that's not pound foolish. :ashamed:

 

[jinman]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to go get the seal today. Hopefully, that's all I'll need. The service manual is $300, so I'm going to attempt without it. Hope that's not pound foolish. :ashamed:

I checked New Holland's parts manuals and the TC34DA uses essentially the same axle case as the TC33D. That means the manual for the TC33D is extremely close to the TC34DA. If you get into trouble and want a manual quickly, you can download the entire 661 pg Repair Manual for the TC33D from Tradebit for $49.95. The process and steps in that manual should be identical to the ones for your tractor.

 

[Norcal M5]

Yep, Larryd's 33D rear axle manual section works for the 34D. Thanks to you both. The Tradebit deal is a winner, though. I'll have to splurge on that at some point.

Dropped the axle off today. You guys ever see that special tool, "Spanner Tool #FNH00088" that takes off the nut holding on the final reduction gear? I see it online, but they want $46 for it plus the time to get it here. I'll stop in Harbor Freight, but we'll see.

 

[Norcal M5]

I want to thank you guys again for the help. BTW, anyone reading this might wonder how heavy the axle assembly is. I would say approx 75 pounds. Doable by one person, but I'll use two for the reassembly.

 

[LarryD]

Well I hope this is the only time I need that section of the manual. :laughing: Glad it helps.
How many hours does your tractor have? So far at 700+ hours on mine the only leak I've had to deal with was a loose radiator hose clamp.

 

[Norcal M5]

Well I hope this is the only time I need that section of the manual. :laughing: Glad it helps.
How many hours does your tractor have? So far at 700+ hours on mine the only leak I've had to deal with was a loose radiator hose clamp.

Only 350 hours! It could be worse...