Kubota BX Front Axle Seal?

[bluedunn]

Hi-

I noticed yesterday there was some liquid on my garage floor, near the font of my BX1860. After a bit of investigation, I think I've determined that the right front axle is seeping near the top of assembly (see attachment, circled in red).

I'm guessing there is a seal in the assembly that has failed and needs to be replaced. Has anyone out there done this and if so, what tools would you recommend to make the job easier? Is this an expensive (parts-wise) job?

Thanks for any help!

 

[orangekuby]

Not sure if it's exactly the same, but this looks similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ-rSQCa93w

 

[BXHoosier]

The BX tractors are prone to leaks there. From the dealer, they are filled with SUDT oil which is a very thin oil and it tends to leak past those seals. I drained the fluid from mine and refilled it with 80W90 gear oil and it stopped leaking.

 

[shelkol]

I changed both of mine on a BX2200. The dealer said you must use a special tool to insert the new seal. Just did it carefully with a hammer to tap in in and tried to make sure it went in straight. Hasn't leaked since. I don't recall it being very expensive. You can look up the part numbers and prices at Messicks

 

[B737]

the bx tractors are prone to leaks there. From the dealer, they are filled with sudt oil which is a very thin oil and it tends to leak past those seals. I drained the fluid from mine and refilled it with 80w90 gear oil and it stopped leaking.

... +1 ...

 

[bluedunn]

I'm pretty sure it's a leaky seal as I changed the axle fluid last year and put in 80W90 oil. I've gone ahead and ordered the seals (figured I mind as well do both since I'll have the tractor jacked up) and o-rings (for the final drive gear housing). Watched a bunch of YouTube vids and this seems like a fairly straight forward repair...I'm sure I'll regret saying that as I swear my way thru the project, but hey, here's to optimism.

 

[dirtydeed]

I had to replace the seal and bevel gear (I think that's what they called it) on my bx23 (2006 model). It was quite some time ago, and I don't remember all the details. I do recall that I needed a pretty stout set of snap ring pliers, otherwise, it was fairly straight forward.

And yes on the change to gear oil from hydraulic fluid.

 

[bluedunn]

I had to replace the seal and bevel gear (I think that's what they called it) on my bx23 (2006 model). It was quite some time ago, and I don't remember all the details. I do recall that I needed a pretty stout set of snap ring pliers, otherwise, it was fairly straight forward.

And yes on the change to gear oil from hydraulic fluid.

Just ordered a pair of snap-ring pliers as it's one tool I just haven't had a need for...until now.

 

[bluedunn]

Well that was an utter failure. 3 hours and two seals later, I still couldn’t get the seal to seat correctly. Both times I ended up tearing/deforming the new seal on one side. Sent the dealer a service request and unfortunately, they’ll have to come to my house since I have no way of getting the tractor to them.

Man, what a disappointing afternoon!

 

[tinkerwitheverything]

you do know that they are a two piece seal right. The seal comes apart in two pieces. One part fits onto the spindles upright (post) and the other part fits into the upper part that that does the steering ??

 

[bluedunn]

you do know that they are a two piece seal right. The seal comes apart in two pieces. One part fits onto the spindles upright (post) and the other part fits into the upper part that that does the steering ??

Yep, I do know that. I ran into trouble trying to get the part of the seal that seats into the axle housing. I could not get it in without deforming/tearing the seal.

 

[whitetiger]

Well that was an utter failure. 3 hours and two seals later, I still couldn’t get the seal to seat correctly. Both times I ended up tearing/deforming the new seal on one side. Sent the dealer a service request and unfortunately, they’ll have to come to my house since I have no way of getting the tractor to them.

Man, what a disappointing afternoon!

Why not take the 4 bolts out of the bevel gear case and take it and the housing to the dealer. The can install the seal, put the assembly back together. Then you would just reinstall the assembly with the 4 bolts. Refill with 80/90 or 85/140 synthetic gear oil. It should be a lot cheaper.

 

[bluedunn]

Why not take the 4 bolts out of the bevel gear case and take it and the housing to the dealer. The can install the seal, put the assembly back together. Then you would just reinstall the assembly with the 4 bolts. Refill with 80/90 or 85/140 synthetic gear oil. It should be a lot cheaper.

Hmm, hadn’t thought of that. Great idea, thank you! I think my confidence is a little shaken by this as I was positive I could do this yesterday, now I’m second guessing my abilities.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[bluedunn]

Nope, that’s a no-go; couldn’t get the all bevel gear housing bolts out. Got three out of four, but that last one was STUCK. Tried PB blaster, leverage, swearing...nada. I did get the other oil seal out, of the other side. I’m glad I did because it came out in pieces. Not really sure why it wasn’t leaking too.

This will not go down as one of my most favorite projects.

 

[bluedunn]

Got all parts back from the dealer this morning and reassembled everything this afternoon. One side went on without any problems; this was the side I was having trouble with last weekend. I wasn’t expecting the other side to have issues but it did. After some fiddling around I decided to take the bevel gear housing off. After doing this I could see that one of the bevel gears had become jostled a bit, which was preventing the lower section from seating properly. After I fixed this, all went back together well. Phew!!

Also ended up replacing the tie rods. I may need to adjust the toe in a little, bit I’m that everything is now back together.

 

[kenbx1860]

Got all parts back from the dealer this morning and reassembled everything this afternoon. One side went on without any problems; this was the side I was having trouble with last weekend. I wasn’t expecting the other side to have issues but it did. After some fiddling around I decided to take the bevel gear housing off. After doing this I could see that one of the bevel gears had become jostled a bit, which was preventing the lower section from seating properly. After I fixed this, all went back together well. Phew!!

Also ended up replacing the tie rods. I may need to adjust the toe in a little, bit I’m that everything is now back together.

When you are using your tractor I found with my bx1860, that after about 15 minuets I would pull the filler plug. This in turn let pressure out of the axle and since I started doing this my axle seals have not leaked.

 

[kenbx1860]

When you are using your tractor I found with my bx1860, that after about 15 minuets I would pull the filler plug. This in turn let pressure out of the axle and since I started doing this my axle seals have not leaked.

The front axles are sealed to go under water and therefore as the oil warms up it creates this pressure and pushes past the seals.

 

[bluedunn]

When you are using your tractor I found with my bx1860, that after about 15 minuets I would pull the filler plug. This in turn let pressure out of the axle and since I started doing this my axle seals have not leaked.

Ok, thanks. Do you put the plug back in after pulling it? Do you seat it fully or let it rest in the fill hole?

 

[kenbx1860]

Ok, thanks. Do you put the plug back in after pulling it? Do you seat it fully or let it rest in the fill hole?

I reseat it and the once seams to be enough to do the job. If you try it you should definitely hear and feel the pressure release.

 

[kenbx1860]

I reseat it and the once seams to be enough to do the job. If you try it you should definitely hear and feel the pressure release.

But I do it each time I’m using the tractor in the heat. Don’t remember doing it in the winter.