Front axle seal leak JD 4700

DanMc77 · Sep 13, 2022

Why does JD recommend this low viscosity HyGuard when most of the rest of the world puts heavy gear lube in rear ends and other kinds of gear boxes?

Bavarian · Sep 18, 2022

DanMc77 said:
Why does JD recommend this low viscosity HyGuard when most of the rest of the world puts heavy gear lube in rear ends and other kinds of gear boxes?

Because you only need two types of oil. Motor oil and transmisdion/gear oil.

nisaacs · Sep 24, 2022

helpfulbook said:
Thank you for the reply! Yes I do have the service manual. But I was not aware of the front axle vents.
Do you know where I can locate the vents?

The 4700 appears to have a vent in the front axle, #SU52604. Also, my JD's call for GL5 gear oil for the front axle, not HY-Gard.

John Deere Front Differential Breather - SU52604

nisaacs · Sep 24, 2022

DanMc77 said:
Why does JD recommend this low viscosity HyGuard when most of the rest of the world puts heavy gear lube in rear ends and other kinds of gear boxes?

Most tractors have the hydraulic system and the transmission/rear axle combined in the same case/compartment, so that is the spec. You do need to use "Hydraulic/Tractor" fluid in them not plain hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid is for hydraulic systems only. Most tractors spec their own fluid such as JD's Hy-Gard. I use the premium universal Hydraulic/Tractor fluid, it meets the spec.

My JD's do spec GL5 gear oil for the front axle.

beenthere · Sep 24, 2022

nisaacs
Good find.
See the breather just inside of the dip stick.
Key #42

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/71519/referrer/search/pgId/240211776

helpfulbook · Oct 14, 2022

nisaacs said:
Most tractors have the hydraulic system and the transmission/rear axle combined in the same case/compartment, so that is the spec. You do need to use "Hydraulic/Tractor" fluid in them not plain hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid is for hydraulic systems only. Most tractors spec their own fluid such as JD's Hy-Gard. I use the premium universal Hydraulic/Tractor fluid, it meets the spec.

My JD's do spec GL5 gear oil for the front axle.

Now I wonder if my breather is clogged.

helpfulbook · Oct 14, 2022

nisaacs said:
The 4700 appears to have a vent in the front axle, #SU52604. Also, my JD's call for GL5 gear oil for the front axle, not HY-Gard.

John Deere Front Differential Breather - SU52604

Yes good find! Thank you for your help! I didn't know I had a breather. No need to buy one of the after market breather.

helpfulbook · Oct 14, 2022

beenthere said:
nisaacs
Good find.
See the breather just inside of the dip stick.
Key #42

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/71519/referrer/search/pgId/240211776

Thanks for helping me find the breather!

nisaacs · Oct 6, 2023

Did you ever find your breather? I have a 4320 with the same part number per the online parts book but I don't see it on the axle at all.

I found this on "Green Tractor Talk forum, he says they don't have a vent.

Front spindle seals on 1025R leaking. Vent needed?

rmonio · Oct 8, 2023

beenthere said:
Do you have the service tech manual for your 4700? Do a search on TBN, as there have (over the years) been threads addressing the seals in these Deere models.

One help, if not too late, is to loosen the filler plug so the front axle vents some pressure caused when the fluid heats and expands. That solved some leakage in my 4300 and has stopped. Still full of oil too.

That has worked for me on my 4600 as well.