L2250 Front Axle Problem, Please Help!

[328ifun]

Hey everyone, I think I got duped pretty bad on my recent purchase. Looking for some guidance here, 4X4 is, front wheel are not spinning at all. Found that there was no fluid in the front axle whatsoever. So filled it up and then noticed it pouring out at the differential sleeve. Pulled the sleeve and noticed that the rod or drive shaft that connects from the rear to the front completely missing and the spline at the front differential wiggles and moves freely and does not rotate when the front wheels are turned.

Here is a video of the front differential and what I found - definitely doesn't look normal to me:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Mri6_UnY1kY?feature=share

Thoughts, rebuild required? Where should I begin? Thanks for your help!

 

[woodman55]

I would start be putting it a corner and taking it completely apart, to see just what you have to work with. Then price parts from Kubota and go from there. That way you can decide whether to repair, or replace your axle. I believe some parts are available as aftermarket.

Also, if the axle is that bad, what condition is the rest of the tractor in ?

 

[woodman55]

Another option, depending on the $$$ you have to work with. Would be to remove the pinion, plug the hole and fill it with oil and run it as a 2x4, that is as long as the wheel ends are good.

 

[328ifun]

Thanks, Woodman.

I've had the tractor for like 3 days or so, paid 10k for it, came with a bush hog and blade. I had used a little and noticed a rattling house in 3 hi, checked the axle fluid and it was completely empty. Filled the axle and the noise went away but was leaking badly. The tractor was advertised as "works great" but looks rough, the couple who sold it were very nice. I think I let my guard down a little bit.

I bought it for the 4x4 capability, I live in a muddy/hilly area and the tractor had gotten stuck on the first day I used it. It runs and the loader and everything work fine, it starts right up too.

Really not sure at this point, sadly. I am pretty mechanically inclined but have never rebuilt an axle before.

 

[Magicman]

the couple who sold it were very nice.

In this instance, "very nice" doesn't get any points. Unless you really want that tractor with it's yet undiscovered additional woes, it's time to visit with the "nice" couple.

 

[Pau7220]

it's time to visit with the "nice" couple.

Agreed.
If you don’t get anywhere with that, it may be more cost effective to look for a salvage axle (and missing parts). “Orange” doesn’t tell us much about your location. You can send a pm to 007kubotaguy to see if he has a salvage part.… click on the envelope in the upper right corner to send him a message. He’s in California. There are other salvage yards but shipping would be a small fortune on an axle.

 

[Fordtech86]

Video doesn’t work for me…

 

[Flintknapper]

Video doesn’t work for me…

Suffice to say....its bad, really bad.

 

[rbargeron]

Need to check the regs in your location, but if you've only had the tractor a few days, put the seller on notice that you intend to invoke the Uniform Commercial Code which says purchases over (1000?) can be reversed by the buyer within (7?) days. I know it applies to vehicles in MA - so maybe tractors too. Somebody knew this rig was junk and should have said so. Call your favorite lawyer today, they'll know what to do.

 

[328ifun]

In this instance, "very nice" doesn't get any points. Unless you really want that tractor with it's yet undiscovered additional woes, it's time to visit with the "nice" couple.

Well, you want to trust people sometimes, sadly you just can't anymore.

I spoke with them on the phone and he told me he wasn't going to do anything about it and for me to contact a lawyer and it is "as-is" sale which he failed disclose nor is in writing.

 

[328ifun]

I pulled the axle to see if there was anything I could do, I tried pulled the diff cover, I'm guessing there are other parts I need to remove to get inside there. Kind of hard to figure out without a service manual. I've probably already spent too much time working on this tractor, worst part of it all is I've got debris, trees, and brush everywhere around my house which is why I bought it in the first place

Even if I repair the axle or get a new the driveshaft is completely missing, so I would have to source it as well. My guess is that they removed / disconnected it from the differential so it wouldn't make any noise to raise suspicion. The one thing I didn't check was the 4x4... Kind of hard to do without lifting it up to observe all 4 wheels turning. I suspected there to be something wrong with a 1990's L2250 but nothing to this extent... The tractor has already gotten stuck twice with just the rear wheels on my property. I'm tempted to weld the flange hole and fill it fluid and use it as is, shouldn't have to do that though

 

[Shekkie]

Pardon Our Interruption

I know it is kinda expensive but if you are getting stuck in 2wd you really don’t have much of a choice but to fix it. Individual parts are likely the cheapest option and nothing is overly complicated. Good luck, sorry you can’t trust people……unfortunately this is a tough and pricey lesson.

 

[Flintknapper]

Fix it. You'll find that besides getting stuck...its almost pointless to have a front loader (if used with a bucket) without 4WD

 

[328ifun]

All of this stuff is missing for the most part too:

 

[Magicman]

My advice is to bite the bullet, get whatever is necessary, and bring it back to where it is supposed to be. I realize that it is easy for me to spend your $, but you already have $$$ into this tractor. If you jack leg it, the value will certainly be less than you paid for it.

Since it was advertised as "works great" and with the missing parts it is not which to me is fraud.

Here, I would investigate going to the Justice Court, and file fraud charges against the "nice couple" seller, complete with detailed pictures. That plus all of the invoices associated with the repair. The filing fee would be worth it.

 

[D2Cat]

Contact "007Kubotaguy" on this from by sending a PM. He may very well have all the parts and advise you need. You machine is about mid '80 to '90 year "L" tractor, he has "L" parts from various years.

 

[328ifun]

Contact "007Kubotaguy" on this from by sending a PM. He may very well have all the parts and advise you need. You machine is about mid '80 to '90 year "L" tractor, he has "L" parts from various years.

I contacted him he has an axle, just waiting on response for the other parts, think it's referenced as a pilot shaft

 

[328ifun]

I contacted him he has an axle, just waiting on response for the other parts, think it's referenced as a pilot shaft

Well I thought he said he did but his response disappeared? Anyone ever have that happen here before?

 

[GeoHorn]

Well, you want to trust people sometimes, sadly you just can't anymore.

I spoke with them on the phone and he told me he wasn't going to do anything about it and for me to contact a lawyer and it is "as-is" sale which he failed disclose nor is in writing.

Yep… as you said…he sounds real nice…
Everyone is “nice” when you’re handin’ ’em Ten Grand!

Sorry man… but ya‘ gotta do your homework when buying used stuff. BTDT.

Hope this works out for you.

 

[328ifun]

Yep… as you said…he sounds real nice…
Everyone is “nice” when you’re handin’ ’em Ten Grand!

Sorry man… but ya‘ gotta do your homework when buying used stuff. BTDT.

Hope this works out for you.

I buy used things and often flip them regularly. I agree with you to some extent, but when a seller hides something; for example removing the pilot shaft so the front differential doesn't rattle/ draining the fluid so it doesn't leak, so there aren't any signs - and then advertises it as "runs great, just a little beat up cosmetically," is fraud as a poster previously mentioned. Can do as much homework as you, doesnt mean youll get get 100% on the test. Especially if the questions / answers are are difficult to read or written in a way intended to trick the tester.

Just a matter of finding a used axle and pilot shaft at this point. Everything else on the tractor is functional for the most part