Greasing Front Axle Support

Atlanta Panther · Jun 7, 2014

On my L3200HST 4WD the manual says to remove the breather plug when greasing the front axle support. The plug is one of the square head bolts and I can't get it out. I seem to recall someone saying that the axle could be under pressure. Is that possible? Or should I just squirt some bolt remover in there to try to loosen it up to remove it? I need to finish my grease job.

TripleR · Jun 7, 2014

It's not under pressure the bolt is just a real bear to gt out the first time.

number two · Jun 7, 2014

Agree here.
I've tried removing these on several L models.
It's a 7mm square 4 point head pipe plug and they are tight.
Nobody I can find offers a 7mm 4 or 8 point socket.Mac Tools offers a kind of universal socket that may fit but I've not tried one.
I've tried a 7mm open end wrench,but the plug is just too tight and the jaws just want to spread or round off the head.
I've managed to get then out with 4" vise grips on an angle and the plug was still useable.
I wonder how the Kubota techs do it?

TripleR said:
It's not under pressure the bolt is just a real bear to gt out the first time.

TNhobbyfarmer · Jun 8, 2014

I have a L3430 with the plug. Why does the plug need to be removed? I have put grease in the only zerk I have found. The grease seemed to go in ok. What am l missing?

Citydude · Jun 8, 2014

TNhobbyfarmer said:
I have a L3430 with the plug. Why does the plug need to be removed? I have put grease in the only zerk I have found. The grease seemed to go in ok. What am l missing?

Just guessing here but could the seals blow out if no relief was provided??:confused3:

I read my manual and it said to remove the plug however no explanation why.

mikehaugen · Jun 9, 2014

number two said:
Agree here.
I've tried removing these on several L models.
It's a 7mm square 4 point head pipe plug and they are tight.
Nobody I can find offers a 7mm 4 or 8 point socket.Mac Tools offers a kind of universal socket that may fit but I've not tried one.
I've tried a 7mm open end wrench,but the plug is just too tight and the jaws just want to spread or round off the head.
I've managed to get then out with 4" vise grips on an angle and the plug was still useable.
I wonder how the Kubota techs do it?

Are you sure it's not 9/32"? If so, maybe this would work.

http://ebay.com/itm/190740977336?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

k0ua · Jun 9, 2014

TNhobbyfarmer said:
I have a L3430 with the plug. Why does the plug need to be removed? I have put grease in the only zerk I have found. The grease seemed to go in ok. What am l missing?

You are missing the 2nd zerk.. there are 2.. one in front and one in back.. the one in front needs the plug removed. I used a 10 inch adjustable wrench. Apply grease to the front zerk until you see grease start to move out of the the plug hole. Reinstall the plug. On the zerk on the back side of the front axle pivot , pump 2 pumps into the zerk, making sure it "took" the grease and then stop. This grease goes inside the axle housing after lubing the pivot point. So DO NOT keep on pumping. Just 2 shots every 50 hours and stop.

TNhobbyfarmer · Jun 9, 2014

k0ua said:
You are missing the 2nd zerk.. there are 2.. one in front and one in back.. the one in front needs the plug removed. I used a 10 inch adjustable wrench. Apply grease to the front zerk until you see grease start to move out of the the plug hole. Reinstall the plug. On the zerk on the back side of the front axle pivot , pump 2 pumps into the zerk, making sure it "took" the grease and then stop. This grease goes inside the axle housing after lubing the pivot point. So DO NOT keep on pumping. Just 2 shots every 50 hours and stop.

Thanks for the information James. TBN is almost always a great source for this type expertise. I'll follow your recommendation.

PHILIP8N · Jun 9, 2014

k0ua said:
You are missing the 2nd zerk.. there are 2.. one in front and one in back. On the zerk on the back side of the front axle pivot , pump 2 pumps into the zerk, making sure it "took" the grease and then stop. This grease goes inside the axle housing after lubing the pivot point. So DO NOT keep on pumping. Just 2 shots every 50 hours and stop.

This back zerk drives me nuts. Does anyone know where the excess grease goes? Philip.

k0ua · Jun 9, 2014

PHILIP8N said:
This back zerk drives me nuts. Does anyone know where the excess grease goes? Philip.

See abovementioned. Inside the axle housing

Stonehaller · Jun 10, 2014

Citydude said:
Just guessing here but could the seals blow out if no relief was provided??:confused3:

Your guess is correct. You will blow out the seal if you do not remove the plug when greasing.

number two · Jun 10, 2014

mikehaugen said:
Are you sure it's not 9/32"? If so, maybe this would work.

http://ebay.com/itm/190740977336?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

Good thought Mike!
I hadn't thought about a fractional size that would work.
I also never noticed a 9/32" square socket before.

9/32" x 25.4mm/inch=7.14mm,a tad loose but might just work OK.

Thanks.

TNhobbyfarmer · Jun 11, 2014

number two said:
Good thought Mike!
I hadn't thought about a fractional size that would work.
I also never noticed a 9/32" square socket before.

9/32" x 25.4mm/inch=7.14mm,a tad loose but might just work OK.

Thanks.

Why not just use a Crescent wrench?

Atlanta Panther · Jun 11, 2014

I tried a crescent wrench...a 7mm seemed to be the closest fit, but it is really stuck on there and I started rounding the corners so I thought I would try a 4 or 8 point socket...but can't seem to find one. I got a feeling my best bet is going to be a set of vise grips and hopefully(?) replacing the stupid plug with a regular bolt of some type.

k0ua · Jun 11, 2014

Atlanta Panther said:
I tried a crescent wrench...a 7mm seemed to be the closest fit, but it is really stuck on there and I started rounding the corners so I thought I would try a 4 or 8 point socket...but can't seem to find one. I got a feeling my best bet is going to be a set of vise grips and hopefully(?) replacing the stupid plug with a regular bolt of some type.

The threads will be metric.. Did you try a 12 point socket, they fit square headed bolts. I actually used a 10 inch crescent wrench held up real tight down in the section of the jaws closest to the handle. I got it to break loose.. One problem is probably the paint. I wonder if just a few seconds with a propane torch on the bolt would help. Maybe a Kroil soak for a few days.. put a drop on each day?

TNhobbyfarmer · Jun 11, 2014

Atlanta Panther said:
I tried a crescent wrench...a 7mm seemed to be the closest fit, but it is really stuck on there and I started rounding the corners so I thought I would try a 4 or 8 point socket...but can't seem to find one. I got a feeling my best bet is going to be a set of vise grips and hopefully(?) replacing the stupid plug with a regular bolt of some type.

Crescent wrench=adjustable wrench. Adjust it tight as possible, plug as far in the jaws as possible. I would think you should be able break it loose.

JakeBrake · Jun 11, 2014

I guess I'm lucky. I've never had a problem removing the breather plug on my L3830. I use a small adjustable wrench.

And thanks for the info on where the grease goes from the rear zerk.

elmer4413 · Jun 12, 2014

Does a L3800 have this same setup? I don't remember reading about it in my manual.

k0ua · Jun 12, 2014

elmer4413 said:
Does a L3800 have this same setup? I don't remember reading about it in my manual.

I am pretty sure it does. Look for the plug up front

Gem99ultra · Jun 12, 2014

elmer4413 said:
Does a L3800 have this same setup? I don't remember reading about it in my manual.

That makes two of us :-( I haven't seen anything in my WSM about one, nor could I find one yesterday when looking for it after reading about it on here. I'm generally **** about greasing; heck, I loose sleep at night wondering if I missed one or didn't get the right amount of grease in.

I had read in the manual about being sure to grease the TWO zerks on the hydro-pedal. Guess what? There are THREE zerks on mine. I just found a third one after 5 years. I'm hoping that someone can tell me exactly where the two on the front pivot point is located.