L 2501 forward front axle support leaking

[patenaud]

Hi.

I was doing my 100 hour maintenance. When putting grease into the forward front axle support some grease is leaking out of the bottom. I did manage to get it coming out of the breather plug but there is a lot coming out of the bottom at the same time. Does anyone know if it's simply a matter of taking of the axle support and getting a new seal for it? A guess a better question would be, is there a seal there? I did notice that the bolt on the front with the lock washer was loose. I thought that might be it so I tightened it, tried again but the grease still flows ouf of the bottom.

Thank you.

Denis

 

[GrizBota]

The pivot bolt should have a lock nut on it and tightened as per the service manual (essentially snug, loosen that lock nut, tighten the bolt and then the lock nut). The front zerk (here we go again) has a vent and seal as you mention. IIRC, the rear zerk does not and too much grease basically fills the driveshaft tube surround with grease. Maybe that’s the source of the extra grease?

 

[patenaud]

The pivot bolt should have a lock nut on it and tightened as per the service manual (essentially snug, loosen that lock nut, tighten the bolt and then the lock nut). The front zerk (here we go again) has a vent and seal as you mention. IIRC, the rear zerk does not and too much grease basically fills the driveshaft tube surround with grease. Maybe that’s the source of the extra grease?

Thanks for the reply. I did tighten the bolt and lock nut but not with a torque wrench. I'll try that this weekend. If that doesn't work then I assume the seal is bad and I'll have to replace it or get some gasket "maker" and plug it up for the time being and keeping an eye on it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

No seal just a simple O-ring seal, 04816-00490.
It's not a tight system, so a little grease coming out isn't that abnormal.
The front bolt is a lash adjustment do not tighten it too much!

 

[patenaud]

No seal just a simple O-ring seal, 04816-00490.
It's not a tight system, so a little grease coming out isn't that abnormal.
The front bolt is a lash adjustment do not tighten it too much!

View attachment 112888

Thank you. What I might do in the meantime is apply a small amount of gasket sealer from the outside to hopefully prevent anything from getting in there.
Denis

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thank you. What I might do in the meantime is apply a small amount of gasket sealer from the outside to hopefully prevent anything from getting in there.
Denis

It's really not going to do much if anything.
The grease keeps moisture out.