What’s causing this drip?

[HCJtractor]

My Kubota M6800 has developed a drip in the front axle. There’s no Kubota mechanic nearby. And I have no mechanical skills or desire to learn. What’s your best guess on the cause? I assume this is gear oil, and I expect a bad seal. It almost looks like it’s coming out of the grease fitting. Any ideas or recommendations?

 

[Fuddy1952]

I can't see the pictures but anything leaking clean the area and you should be able to see where it's coming from. Zerk fittings do fail and an easy fix.
I always wash my arm first so I know where to put the Bandaid!

 

[Peter 315]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

Looks like the input seal is leaking, Take the grease fitting out and see if gear oil comes out......

 

[Dave M7040]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

The front axle pivoting feature is provided by supporting the axle assembly by two hanger bearings. One also supports the front axle drive shaft.

The front axle differential case is lube by oil contained within the differential case by the seal I have marked in red.

The hanger bearings, while having seals, are lubed by grease and independent of the differential case.

Removing the grease fitting will reveal nothing of relevance to the differential leak.

Dave M7040

 

[Oldpath05]

If under 1000 hour I'd try this in front end ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks I used it and had good luck. Amazon.com: ATP AT-25 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle: Automotive

 

[PILOON]

Oh heck, a grain of sand that works its way under an oil seal can be the cause of many a minor leak.
I've never seen a work machine that does not have signs of minor leaks. (and gobs of grease here and there)
LOL, now U know why mechanics wear dark colored overalls.

 

[mikester]

If under 1000 hour I'd try this in front end ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks I used it and had good luck. Amazon.com: ATP AT-25 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle: Automotive

Curbsider snake oil. Designed to hide problems, made to let you sell your vehicle quick on Craigslist.

Just wipe all the areas dry with a clean rag and wait for the leak to develop to identify the source. Right now it looks like the tractor was pressure washed and the loose grease was blown all around.

 

[Oldpath05]

Curbsider snake oil. Designed to hide problems, made to let you sell your vehicle quick on Craigslist.

Just wipe all the areas dry with a clean rag and wait for the leak to develop to identify the source. Right now it looks like the tractor was pressure washed and the loose grease was blown all around.

Snake oil with almost a 5 star rating on Amazon, you have any idea how hard it is to get 5 stars on a product. I have used it on my front end outer knuckles 3 years ago and it's still working, if bearing are still tight the ATP AT-205 Re-Seal is a good choice, or if one likes to change seals every 300 hours that will work to.

 

[ritschner]

Before getting too concerned with the leak I would suggest removing the tie-down chain from the axle, clean the oil, and and work the tractor a little to see if it reappears. The front axle is not a good tie down point and will stress the seals and bearing. The axle being pulled forward like that may be the cause of your leak.

 

[HCJtractor]

Before getting too concerned with the leak I would suggest removing the tie-down chain from the axle, clean the oil, and and work the tractor a little to see if it reappears. The front axle is not a good tie down point and will stress the seals and bearing. The axle being pulled forward like that may be the cause of your leak.

Interesting. Thanks for that advice. Never knew that. But makes sense.

 

[HCJtractor]

Re: Whatç—´ causing this drip?

The front axle pivoting feature is provided by supporting the axle assembly by two hanger bearings. One also supports the front axle drive shaft.

The front axle differential case is lube by oil contained within the differential case by the seal I have marked in red.

The hanger bearings, while having seals, are lubed by grease and independent of the differential case.

Removing the grease fitting will reveal nothing of relevance to the differential leak.

Dave M7040

Thank you. So if that seal leaks gear oil, it would commingle with grease and leak gear oil , like what I’m seeing.

I just had an outer axle bearing replaced, not sure exactly which one, and I don’t want gear damage from loss of gear oil. I’m not sure if the bearing problem was related or a coincidence.
Sorry I’m not well informed as my friend handled all this and I don’t know details. But I would expect this drip will lead to a differential with no lubrication.

 

[HCJtractor]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

The front axle pivoting feature is provided by supporting the axle assembly by two hanger bearings. One also supports the front axle drive shaft.

The front axle differential case is lube by oil contained within the differential case by the seal I have marked in red.

The hanger bearings, while having seals, are lubed by grease and independent of the differential case.

Removing the grease fitting will reveal nothing of relevance to the differential leak.

Dave M7040

How hard is it (for a poor mechanic like me) to replace that seal?

 

[RickB]

Curbsider snake oil. Designed to hide problems, made to let you sell your vehicle quick on Craigslist.

Just wipe all the areas dry with a clean rag and wait for the leak to develop to identify the source. Right now it looks like the tractor was pressure washed and the loose grease was blown all around.

That is not loose grease dripping from the front axle trunnion. The front differential pinion shaft seal is leaking. The seal is fully shielded from dirt, dust and the elements. It should not be leaking. The oil contained in the front axle is the least expensive item in there by a wide margin. So whatever you do, make sure there is always enough of it in there.

 

[Dave M7040]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

How hard is it (for a poor mechanic like me) to replace that seal?

It could be tricky because the front end of the tractor has to be supported to access the seal and the front axle needs to be supported independently as one of the hangers is being removed to access the seal.

If it were my tractor I would spend months monitoring the level and the degree of leakage and do nothing more until and unless the rate of leakage increased substantially.

A tractor or any vehicle without any drips is very rare after a number of years of service.

Dave M7040

 

[Diggin It]

Snake oil with almost a 5 star rating on Amazon, you have any idea how hard it is to get 5 stars on a product.

Extremely simple on Bezoscon. The sellers bribe buyers with discounts or 'free samples'. To me a product with a 'five star rating' is something to be avoided.

 

[orezok]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

Extremely simple on Bezoscon. The sellers bribe buyers with discounts or 'free samples'. To me a product with a 'five star rating' is something to be avoided.

A new restaurant opened near us and we thought we would try it. The food and service was mediocre at best and when the server brought the bill he told us if we gave them a 5 star rating they would deduct $5 from the check. Yup, never went back there again. :thumbdown:

 

[Redbug]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

What kind of oil is in the front axle? My Kubota will take the standard hyd udt oil that is in the hydraulic system or you could put gear oil in it instead. My manual mentions it. Check your manual. I recommend the gear oil for that front axle. It is heavier than udt and I think does a better job lubricating, and your leak may get better using it. Check yours...gear oil is heavier and smells. I have gear oil in mine.

 

[4570Man]

Re: What痴 causing this drip?

What kind of oil is in the front axle? My Kubota will take the standard hyd udt oil that is in the hydraulic system or you could put gear oil in it instead. My manual mentions it. Check your manual. I recommend the gear oil for that front axle. It is heavier than udt and I think does a better job lubricating, and your leak may get better using it. Check yours...gear oil is heavier and smells. I have gear oil in mine.

I think all Kubotas come with hydraulic oil in the front axle stock. Replacing it with gear oil is pretty common.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

First thing to do is go through the manual and adjust the axle pivot bolt. It could have oil coming out of the front axle or it can travel down the front drive shaft tube from the seal on the transmission. Put 90 weight in all my front axles and a lot less seepage.

David

 

[rswyan]

If under 1000 hour I'd try this in front end ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks I used it and had good luck. Amazon.com: ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle: Automotive

Agree ... with the exception that I was well over 1000 hours when I used it several years ago.

No leaks since and over 2200 hours now ...