B7100 Front axle pin seals

[ck21084]

I am having an issue with water entering the front differential through what I believe is the main pin seals. Does any one know if these parts are a ail able still? I mowed our ditch ( has some water in it) and wanted to drain the front diff fluid this is what I found.

 

[Lil Foot]

Whoa, that's ugly! I have a 1979 B7100 and have yet to find any parts that are not available. (except for the american made B670 backhoe) I have not yet been in the front axle, but it will need some attention soon. (oil leaks)
Don't forget to drain the axle knuckles or gearcases, depending on the year.
I have a question.... what is the item to the left of your drain & fill plugs in the pan? Looks like a filter screen....

 

[ck21084]

I have drained all front fluids and and flushed the diff with diesel and refilled with 85-140. The knuckles oil look great. Only a slight amount of very fine metal. Not sure when it was last changed as I have only had the tractor 1 year. It's prior use was strictly with the belly mower. It had never had the vinyl pto plastic removed. The item to the left is a plastic adapter tube for my suction pump that I attempted to use for oil removal.

 

[Bluegill]

The oil in the knuckles on front axle different than oil in the main housing? All mine are connected, but still need to drain separately.

You may need a pinion seal at front drive shaft?

 

[Lil Foot]

All mine are connected, but still need to drain separately.

Mine are this way also.

 

[ck21084]

Bluegill,

As far as I can tell the oil is different. The oil I drained from the diff was certainly watered down where as the knuckle oil was normal.

Just as a follow up the new diff oil is leaking from the front pin area during use. So seals must be bad

 

[Bluegill]

Must be axle seals in there to separate the knuckle oil? There's a correct name for the knuckle, but I can't think of it right now...

Another place water can get in, is the breather top the diff. Should be a hose on it, but may have rotted off, or?

 

[ck21084]

Maybe. I won't be pulling it to find out. I will however look for the breather hole or hose as this would be most helpful to have

 

[freewheel3]

To get water in either the pin or vent, the axle would pretty much have to be submerged. Maybe the PO sunk the tractor? The other possibility is condensation build up over the years. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the the front axle pivot pin is actually lubricated by the oil in the front diff splashing around.

 

[ck21084]

I have submerged the axle twice. Once when I first got the tractor(mowing a ditch and slipped down the hill in to the water.) this seems to be a problem so I do not intend to try this again at least until I get the seals and the vent hose checked.