Kx121 excavator

[Firstorange]

I have a new to me 2004 (5000 hour) Kx121-3 excavator. I've pushed out part of the swing bearing seal by applying too much grease. About 60% of the seal is out of it's place and hanging down where the rotator joint sits. The remaining 40% is still in place where it should be. I've been told by a Kubota dealership mechanic and a Kubota dealership owner that I can get by by just keeping it greased and trying to keep it clean in there. If not, its probably 8000 - 10000$ to fix. I believe the seal could be put back into place if the top half of the machine was lifted off the swing bearing.
Does anyone have any advice? I'm not a mechanic but am not useless with a wrench. I do have access to a shop with a large overhead crane. Has anyone done this project before? Any advice? Any alternative methods of fixing this?
Thanks

 

[rentthis]

That is no doubt the largest and most complicated repair on that machine. Considering the hours and price/difficulty of the repair, my inclination would be to keep it greased and pressure wash it occasionally. To me, that repair would be a nightmare. You might be surprised how long it would last if you never did either.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have a new to me 2004 (5000 hour) Kx121-3 excavator. I've pushed out part of the swing bearing seal by applying too much grease. About 60% of the seal is out of it's place and hanging down where the rotator joint sits. The remaining 40% is still in place where it should be. I've been told by a Kubota dealership mechanic and a Kubota dealership owner that I can get by by just keeping it greased and trying to keep it clean in there. If not, its probably 8000 - 10000$ to fix. I believe the seal could be put back into place if the top half of the machine was lifted off the swing bearing.
Does anyone have any advice? I'm not a mechanic but am not useless with a wrench. I do have access to a shop with a large overhead crane. Has anyone done this project before? Any advice? Any alternative methods of fixing this?
Thanks

If the seal is an internal seal for the swivel bearing, there is very little chance of you just putting it back in, and it doesn't look like it's a part you can even buy without buying the whole Swivel bearing, and that's a $3500 part.

Can you split it, yea, it can be done, but how long can you keep the lift tied up, without experience it's going to take you awhile to just get it apart.

 

[Firstorange]

Ok Thanks guys I think I'm going to pull the swing motor because it looks like I might get access to that seal through the space where the swing motor sets. If I can't get at it there, I'm just going to leave the seal alone. I'll keep it greased and clean and go with that. Probably only run this 100-200 hours a year anyway

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Take some pictures while you're in there, it would be good to have more information on this!