Split Axel Housing L235 DT

[Frbe62]

Hello,

I just joined the site to find some information on repairing the left axel housing on my L235 DT Kubota tractor. The housing separated while doing some work with the loader. The left wheel hub completely separated from the axel housing. I have the WSM but can't figure out how these pieces go back together. Both ends seem to have a machined surface on them. Any help would be appreciated. Please check the attached photos. Thanks, Fred.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

WOW, never seen one broken there!

That part and the part that is still bolted to the differenial is all one part (not meant to come apart)
2 choices:
One remove the plate and the tube and have them welded back together, by a very good welder!
Or
Two get another axle tube and replace it.

 

[007kubotaguy]

Hello Fred
I am parting out a L 275 DT that has the same front axle as your tractor has.
Send me a PM. Thank you Lance

 

[Daren Todd]

Now the $50,000 question. What caused it to break?

By any chance were you doing quite a bit of loader work with out counter weight on the three point hitch? Possibly not enough weight back there?

Previous owner thrash the snot out of it?

 

[Frbe62]

Thanks for the information North Idaho Wolfman!

I wasn't' working the machine hard. Just sealing up a trench after digging up about 100' of old 1/2" natural gas line that was buried 10-12". I used a chain to yank the pipe up a few feet at a time. There really wasn't much stress on the loader, much of the pipe could be removed by hand. There was an old 5' box blade on the 3 pt hitch as a balast.
I'll let you know if the weld job works out.

Thank you,
Fred

WOW, never seen one broken there!

That part and the part that is still bolted to the differenial is all one part (not meant to come apart)
2 choices:
One remove the plate and the tube and have them welded back together, by a very good welder!
Or
Two get another axle tube and replace it.

 

[Frbe62]

Hello Fred
I am parting out a L 275 DT that has the same front axle as your tractor has.
Send me a PM. Thank you Lance

007kubotaguy,

I'm going to try to have the pieces welded but if that doesn't work out I'll need the axel housing. Please shoot me a price.

When I bought the L235 DT I also got a 2wd L275 parts tractor. It is missing fenders and the hood is pretty beat up and the brakes barely work. The rear casing has been broken and welded back together. The motor runs pretty good and the transmission shifts good. What kind of salvage value would the tractor have?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[Frbe62]

Now the $50,000 question. What caused it to break?

By any chance were you doing quite a bit of loader work with out counter weight on the three point hitch? Possibly not enough weight back there?

Previous owner thrash the snot out of it?

Hello DarenTodd,

The loader was used for about 6 hours ripping about 100' of an old 1/2" natural gas line. The pipe was only buried Less than a foot deep. Most of it could be ripped up by by hand. There was an old 5' box blade on the 3 pt hitch as a ballast weight. I was trying to smooth out the dirt in the trench when the axle broke. I was lucky the machine was on the edge of a pretty good hill when the axel let go. The machine looks pretty beat but more from neglect than abuse.

What kind of stress would break an axel housing like that? There didn't appear to be much of a weld around that joint.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[D2Cat]

Fred, does your loader mount have a support going from the loader tower base back to the rear to tie in somewhere?

Post a couple of pictures of the support system your loader has. I'd sure try to see if you could add something to give it more stability. Let others see what you have so maybe you can get an idea of the cause.

Make sure your welder gets that bolt on housing absolutely square to the axle tube. If it's off you'll have a tire going the wrong direction all the time.

 

[Frbe62]

Fred, does your loader mount have a support going from the loader tower base back to the rear to tie in somewhere?

Post a couple of pictures of the support system your loader has. I'd sure try to see if you could add something to give it more stability. Let others see what you have so maybe you can get an idea of the cause.

Make sure your welder gets that bolt on housing absolutely square to the axle tube. If it's off you'll have a tire going the wrong direction all the time.

D2Cat,

The loader is a Kubota BF 400, I loaded one photo of when the tractor was being transported on a trailer. I won't be able to get other photos until the weekend. The Axel housing parts should line up pretty well. There is a female end on one side and a male end on the other, both sides are machined to fit together.

Thanks for the advice,
Fred

 

[007kubotaguy]

Hello Fred

$125.00 For a good used axle houseing plus shipping. As for your L275 hard to say . You need to find the right person. Good Luck Lance

 

[Frbe62]

Hello Fred

$125.00 For a good used axle houseing plus shipping. As for your L275 hard to say . You need to find the right person. Good Luck Lance

Lance,

I think it may be better to purchase your Axel housing. I need the left side housing (sitting on the tractor). I also need a gear that was broken when the Axel housing broke. The part # is 38440-44980, Gear Dif, side RH. This gear accepts the left Axel spline on the inside. I sent a photo of the broken gear that is missing a piece of the female spline. I don't know if you can use a used gear in good shape or if it should be purchased new. Let me know what I need to do to buy the Axel housing and possibly the gear.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[Frbe62]

Fred, does your loader mount have a support going from the loader tower base back to the rear to tie in somewhere?

Post a couple of pictures of the support system your loader has. I'd sure try to see if you could add something to give it more stability. Let others see what you have so maybe you can get an idea of the cause.

Make sure your welder gets that bolt on housing absolutely square to the axle tube. If it's off you'll have a tire going the wrong direction all the time.

D2Cat,

My tractor does have brackets that run from the bottom of the loader tower and attach to the rear end, a photo is attached. After removing both pieces of the housing, I am going to try to purchase a used Axel housing. I don't know much about welding but it looks like a poor weld to me. The female spline that accepts the left Axel housing also broke (lost a big section). I'll try to attach a couple of photos. A couple of the gears on the wheel housing have some uneven wear, is this normal for a 30+ year old tractor? Thanks for your help.
Fred

 

[007kubotaguy]

Hello Fred

The best thing to do is give me a phone call.
TWO 0 NINE 712-FOUR 0 66

Thank You Lance

 

[Frbe62]

Hello Fred

The best thing to do is give me a phone call.
TWO 0 NINE 712-FOUR 0 66

Thank You Lance

Lance,

I tried to call you a couple of times today, what is a good time to call? I am in East Tennessee which is in the Eastern time zone.

Thank you,
Fred

 

[Frbe62]

WOW, never seen one broken there!

That part and the part that is still bolted to the differenial is all one part (not meant to come apart)
2 choices:
One remove the plate and the tube and have them welded back together, by a very good welder!
Or
Two get another axle tube and replace it.

North Idaho Wolfman,

After removing both sections of the axel, it may be better to purchase a used axel housing. the gear differential Right side part#38440-44980 had a piece missing out of the female spline that accepts the axel spline. Is this something that should be replaced with a new gear or would a used gear be acceptable?

I have a Kubota IT Shop Manual that shows a very limited amount of information on repairs. Is there another manual you would recommend? The manual says that you need to remove the front driveshaft to remove the left axel housing but doesn't supply any information on how to remove the drive shaft.

I assume that new bearing seals and O rings will be need for reassembly of the axel?

several of the gears in the bevel gear case have some wear on them. Should they be changed while the axel is apart?

Any additional advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Fred