Used tractor leaking

[thegrouse]

Hey folks. I have been lurking for awhile and just bought my first tractor today. It is used and seems to run good. I just noticed it is leaking around the front gear assembly. I am not sure what the component is called and I tried a general search but I could not find anything with a picture. The tractor had been sitting for some time. Can anyone tell me if this is the axle or hub assembly that is next to the tire? The leak is hard to see in the photo but it is where the blue meets the brown. Picture was taken from the drivers seat and is of the inside of the front right tire. Tractor is an l235dt. Thanks in advance.

 

[UWAdventurer]

Had a leak in the seal assy in my L2950 and I think it is the same thing. Took the assy loose and took it to my dealer to get the internal seal replaced. I believe there is supposed to be a special tool to do this. There is an O-ring seal, I believe, where you see the horizontal bolts next to the axle housing. Even after I changed all that I still had a leak. Don't know why, everything was clean when it was re-assembled. Got old adding gear lube all the time. I traded it shortly after for a L3400 with FEL and back hoe. Good luck.

 

[jimbo64]

Hey folks. I have been lurking for awhile and just bought my first tractor today. It is used and seems to run good. I just noticed it is leaking around the front gear assembly. I am not sure what the component is called and I tried a general search but I could not find anything with a picture. The tractor had been sitting for some time. Can anyone tell me if this is the axle or hub assembly that is next to the tire? The leak is hard to see in the photo but it is where the blue meets the brown. Picture was taken from the drivers seat and is of the inside of the front right tire. Tractor is an l235dt. Thanks in advance.

you need to get a shop manual from Messicks, pricey but answers most questions

 

[thegrouse]

I just downloaded a parts manual and a service manual. I found it on the web and do not know if it is the same one Messick's sells. Tough to see exactly which o rings it could be. I hate to have it apart and not be able to get the parts locally. Guess it is time to get dirty.

 

[chucko]

Hard to tell from the picture. I think before I did anything much I would clean it good and top it off with the correct oil then run it some to see how much it is really leaking

 

[thegrouse]

Yeah I am going to go and buy some degreaser today. I saw about 3 drops that fell while I was trailering it.

 

[thegrouse]

I just wanted to update this post with some pictures. I searched high and low for detailed repair info on these seals and could not get anything solid. I read that I needed a good set of snap ring pliers. I spent 50 bucks on a few pair today and ended up completing the repair without needing then. First I pulled the front wheel.

I then drained all of the oil into a bucket. Then I removed the steering rod which can be removed 2 different ways. One is removing a plate with 4- 14mm bolts or removing a castle nut and cotter pin. I figured for realignment it would be easier to remove the plate. All of the bolts were tight and I had to use a box wrench on one of them because of a lack of space. Once this was done I removed the bottom plate and top holding bracket. I began to tap up on the shaft as the repair manual said to do. The entire bevel gear assembly came loose and fell down. This was as far as I needed to go for the seals but I read I needed to use snap ring pliers somewhere. I pulled the top section of the outer gear and removed a snap ring.

I then began trying to remove the shaft. At this point I began to question what the heck I was doing. I had the assembly apart and the seal I needed to replace was accessible. I had to beat out the old seal gently with a small screwdriver. The old oil sleeve was well worn and hopefully this was the source of my leak. The new one is on the right.

I cleaned up the area well and gently tapped in the new seal and sleeve with a hammer. I used a floor jack to help raise the bevel gear back into place. I thought I was going to have issues with the two parts not coming together tight but they came together when I put on the bottom cap. I filled the assembly with UDT and buttoned it all back up.

I was going to take it for a spin but picked up a nail sometime last night and need to get my tire fixed. I spent about 4 hours doing this today. If I have to do the other side it should not take me more than 1.5 hours tops. Lessons learned today. If anyone else has a L245DT or similar model with an axle leak hopefully this will help. I checked all of the bearings but if I needed to service them I would have had to use the snap ring pliers.

 

[Bluegill2]

Looks like you fixed it. Hopefully no more leak. :thumbsup:

 

[super55]

Thanks for posting the pics and your step by step process. My kubota L2500 has the same exact leak but I have always just added about 6 ounces every 6 months or so figured it would be easier than replacing or getting serviced. But this job looks like something I can manage.

 

[Jay4200]

Thanks for posting the pics and your step by step process. My kubota L2500 has the same exact leak but I have always just added about 6 ounces every 6 months or so figured it would be easier than replacing or getting serviced. But this job looks like something I can manage.

My L4200 is the same. I'm up to running 90W140 in the front axle. I catch the leak in a cup while my tractor is parked so I can see how much came out - I probably lose 2-4oz a month (except in the winter when the 90W140 is like play-doh). I add a little fluid about twice a year to keep it topped off. It's been leaking for all of the 7 years I've owned it, although it has gotten worse over the past couple. I will fix it someday...I really will...

JayC