Need help dismantling front hubs! M4500DT

[JohnDB]

Hoping someone can share how they've done this successfully, because I can't figure out how to separate the bevel gear case from the front wheel case. Don't want to bust something in the process because all the gears and most bearings look like new. Only 5000+ hours on them.

Doing this to replace the seals that go between the bevel gear case and wheel case.

Using Kubota terminology ... see photos.

#1 the training manual says this (right image)

I've tapped the kingpin with a soft hammer and then a bit harder, with aluminum block in place to protect the end of the kingpin and minimise hopefully damage to the bearings, but nothing's moving. How do I get the kingpin out without using a press or more force? There's no sign of circlips or other things to hold the kingpin in there, I'm certain no-one has worked on this since it was built, so bearings haven't been loctited in place - unless the factory did it.

I'd really appreciate ideas from someone who has done this before, thanks so much.

Other images in case helpful:

#2 Top of kingpin in foreground.

#3 Bottom end of wheel case.

#4 Other side of front wheel case - according to the manual, the bevel gear should come out with the kingpin.

#5 Bottom end of front wheel case... (the discoloration that looks like a crack is there the shims met).

#6 Parts - bevel gear case and kingpin.

#7 Parts - wheel case.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

looks similar to my BX23s.... #046 clip has to come off. you'll need 45* c-clip pliers 'medium' size
with it off, gear #41,41 is free of shaft #034, will slide out.
Be careful and take pictures and put parts on clean cloth in proper order !

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

looks similar to my BX23s.... #046 clip has to come off. you'll need 45* c-clip pliers 'medium' size
with it off, gear #41,41 is free of shaft #034, will slide out.
Be careful and take pictures and put parts on clean cloth in proper order !

Your "Insight" gets you this post!

FYI: Be mindful of advice given!

Sometimes you've got to be a detective to give great info. ;):unsure: Look at where they are, every region / country can have different tractors ( yes they can be the same letters and numbers and be different) that we are used to seeing or hearing about. Kubota has gotten into the bad habit of...

www.orangetractortalks.com

There is 40 year's, several thousand pounds and a completely different design between your little BX and a M!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes you need to drive the king pin down, and yea it's going to put up a fight because there are a lot of parts in there not letting it move.
It's easier to get it apart when it's still attached to the axle, sort of gravity and force assist, I put a cushion under the case when I drive the king pin down to catch the case when it falls.
There are several O-rings in between parts that are going to "clamp it" when it's trying to move.
I have a BIG Brass Pin Punch that I use to get them apart.

 

[JohnDB]

Yes you need to drive the king pin down, and yea it's going to put up a fight because there are a lot of parts in there not letting it move.
It's easier to get it apart when it's still attached to the axle, sort of gravity and force assist, I put a cushion under the case when I drive the king pin down to catch the case when it falls.
There are several O-rings in between parts that are going to "clamp it" when it's trying to move.
I have a BIG Brass Pin Punch that I use to get them apart.

View attachment 145714

Thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciate the explanation. I'll put the bevel gear case back on the axle and give it some bigger smacks with a soft-ish drift.

 

[JohnDB]

looks similar to my BX23s.... #046 clip has to come off. you'll need 45* c-clip pliers 'medium' size
with it off, gear #41,41 is free of shaft #034, will slide out.
Be careful and take pictures and put parts on clean cloth in proper order !

The stage I was at was pretty much try anything, so I appreciate your willingness to contribute even if it wasn't the right thing in the end

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

@JohnDB ,
Pull 21,22,23,24 just to make sure, I don't remember, but on some that bolt locks the bottom case from falling off.

 

[JohnDB]

@JohnDB ,
Pull 21,22,23,24 just to make sure, I don't remember, but on some that bolt locks the bottom case from falling off.

I raced out and refitted the bevel gear case, prepared the drop zone, gave some tender smacks ... and voila!

That was great advice thanks!

(BTW 21, 22, 23, 24 are just the fill/level and drain plugs.)

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Your "Insight" gets you this post!

FYI: Be mindful of advice given!

Sometimes you've got to be a detective to give great info. ;):unsure: Look at where they are, every region / country can have different tractors ( yes they can be the same letters and numbers and be different) that we are used to seeing or hearing about. Kubota has gotten into the bad habit of...

www.orangetractortalks.com

There is 40 year's, several thousand pounds and a completely different design between your little BX and a M!

so you're saying the #46 clip doesn't have to come off to release the gear to allow the shaft to be pulled out ?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I raced out and refitted the bevel gear case, prepared the drop zone, gave some tender smacks ... and voila!
View attachment 145725

That was great advice thanks!

(BTW 21, 22, 23, 24 are just the fill/level and drain plugs.)

Excellent, glad that helped.
Yea my memory was fuzzy on the bolts / plugs.

 

[JohnDB]

so you're saying the #46 clip doesn't have to come off to release the gear to allow the shaft to be pulled out ?

#46 is impossible to get at without removing the kingpin.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

so you're saying the #46 clip doesn't have to come off to release the gear to allow the shaft to be pulled out ?

Yes that's what I'm saying.