L3400 ring and pinion gear

Clint_W

New member

Equipment
Kubota L3400… loader work, scraping
Apr 10, 2021
12
1
3
Royal Oak, MD 21662
I don't have any drive in my front. I checked the driveshaft splines and they are good. I think the ring and pinion gears may be damaged. Does anyone know of a video to help me replace this. I read the shop manual but a visual would help. I think the procedure is the same for L2800DT, L3010DT, L3010GST, L3010HST, L3300DTGST, L3400DT, L3400HST, L3410DT, L3410GST, L3410HST, L3700SU.
 

cthomas

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
LX2610 HSDC
Jan 1, 2017
865
579
93
La Farge Wi
Stop. How about some diagnoses first? Have you inspected the front axle level and condition? Is it fill and does it have that metallic paint look? Jack up the front of tractor and place on jack stands. Turn one front wheel by hand(have tractor in 2wd)((have wheel blocks in front and back of both rear tires)). Does the other wheel turn? You said the splines are good on the driveshaft, can you turn the driveshaft and do the front wheels turn? Have you watched the 4wd lever move and does it appear to be working. Any related concerns, hours, maintance, how long have you owned, has it ever worked for you, why do you suspect it is not working, noises, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,059
1,006
113
Wisconsin
Stop. How about some diagnoses first? Have you inspected the front axle level and condition? Is it fill and does it have that metallic paint look? Jack up the front of tractor and place on jack stands. Turn one front wheel by hand(have tractor in 2wd)((have wheel blocks in front and back of both rear tires)). Does the other wheel turn? You said the splines are good on the driveshaft, can you turn the driveshaft and do the front wheels turn? Have you watched the 4wd lever move and does it appear to be working. Any related concerns, hours, maintance, how long have you owned, has it ever worked for you, why do you suspect it is not working, noises, etc.
I agree 100 percent with @cthomas.

Personally, I would start with your 4wd/2wd lever. If your front axle isn't making any noise, it probably isn't the problem. Ring and pinions don't typically fail. It's very rare. Unless you're racing or 4 wheeling very hard. And when they go, you'll know it because you'll usually hear it.

I'd guess that it's a simple 4wd lever disconnect, or it's out of adjustment.
 
Last edited:

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,059
1,006
113
Wisconsin
You can check if it's the 4wd lever by jacking up only the front as @cthomas suggested.

Engage 4wd and see if you can either turn the front driveshaft by hand or turn both front wheels the same direction. if you can't manually turn the driveshaft or turn both both front wheels in the SAME direction, it's probably NOT the lever.

As for the R and P and the Diff...
if you turn one front wheel forward, the other front wheel should turn backward. If there's no noise or gritty feeling, it's probably NOT your ring and pinion or differential.
 
Last edited:

Clint_W

New member

Equipment
Kubota L3400… loader work, scraping
Apr 10, 2021
12
1
3
Royal Oak, MD 21662
I agree 100 percent with @cthomas.

Personally, I would start with your 4wd/2wd lever. If your front axle isn't making any noise, it probably isn't the problem. Ring and pinions don't typically fail. It's very rare. Unless you're racing or 4 wheeling very hard. And when they go, you'll know it because you'll usually hear it.

I'd guess that it's a simple 4wd lever disconnect, or it's out of adjustment.

I'm going to follow through with both of your suggestions. I have done all the checks in one form or fashion. For the sake of thoroughness, I'll go through your suggestions.

When I bought the tractor, there was a terrible rattle, like marbles rolling around, coming from the front axle. I heard this the other day, too. I didn't need 4 wheel drive. Now I would like to have it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,059
1,006
113
Wisconsin
I'm going to follow through with both of your suggestions. I have done all the checks in one form or fashion. For the sake of thoroughness, I'll go through your suggestions.

When I bought the tractor, there was a terrible rattle, like marbles rolling around, coming from the front axle. I heard this the other day, too. I didn't need 4 wheel drive. Now I would like to have it.
That changes everything.
 

cthomas

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
LX2610 HSDC
Jan 1, 2017
865
579
93
La Farge Wi
As Paul Harvey would say " Now you know the rest of the story." This is a important piece of information. What does the fluid look like?
 

Clint_W

New member

Equipment
Kubota L3400… loader work, scraping
Apr 10, 2021
12
1
3
Royal Oak, MD 21662
As Paul Harvey would say " Now you know the rest of the story." This is a important piece of information. What does the fluid look like?
The 4 wheel drive lever works and the drive shaft turns or not.

If I rotate the left wheel the right rotates the other way and Visa versa, in 2wheel.

If I rotate the left wheel the right doesn't the other way and Visa versa, in 4wheel.

There is still a bad rattle and no 4 wheel drive. When I rotate a wheel in 4 wheel, there is a rattle.

No oil, dry.
 

cthomas

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
LX2610 HSDC
Jan 1, 2017
865
579
93
La Farge Wi
Take out, take apart, post pictures. This is the best I can do as you can not describe what you are doing.
 

NorthwoodsLife

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B7100(sold), Kubota LX2610 Cab
Oct 15, 2021
1,059
1,006
113
Wisconsin
In 4wd, front axle off of the ground:

Of you rotate one front tire one way, the tire on other side should spin the opposite way. Thats your differential doing it's job. Listen and feel for grinding or noise. If you hear or feel bad stuff, it's the differential.

In 2wd, front axle off of the ground:

With a helper, if you rotate BOTH front tires the same direction, that will test your ring and pinion. If you hear noise or feel grinding, it's your R & P.

Either way, you said that it was dry. Nothing is good dry.