1925 4X4 front axle leak

[AlanB]

I noticed a drip under the front differential of my tractor, looks like it is coming from the gasket where the left side axle housing bolts to the center casing. When I opened the dipstick to check the oil level you could hear the pressure escaping. My first thought was that I have a plugged vent line, but I cannot find a vent on the front axle.

Is there a vent on the front axle?

I do drive in 4wd almost exclusively.

Thanks.

1998 NH 1925 4 X 4 HST with R1 and 7308.

 

[TCBoomer]

Check your manual, there should be a vent. There shouldn't be any pressure build up. At least not enough to hear it escape when you unscrew the dip stick.
If the vent is not plugged, maybe the axle is overfilled.

 

[AlanB]

I do not see it in the Parts manual or owners manual.

I have not bought the Maintenance Manual yet, I keep waiting for one to come across e-bay that I can stand the price of!

Do you screw the dipstick in to check the level or put it down till it stops?

 

[TCBoomer]

If no vent in the parts manual, maybe it doesn't have one. I would think it should, unless the gear lube is pressure fed. I'm not familar with the 1925, so maybe someone else here might know if it should have a vent.

I bought the full set of manuals for my rig...not cheap either, but worth having. Maybe it's time to cough up the $$$ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I screw the dipstick back in when checking fluid level.

Bob

 

[RickB]

There is no vent. Pressure buildup in the front axle is normal, especially in spring/fall. I service a few Ford and NH compacts that weep a little at that joint. I have seen that leak be just an annoyance for years, not requiring a top-off even annually. Or it may be an intolerable annoyance that must be repaired. I have seen the same volume of leak get a reaction on both ends of the scale. Check the bolts for tightness, monitor the fliud level, and decide whether/when to have the repair done. Not a big deal, if you were my customer, I probably would do it in your driveway. But then we do more stuff 'on the road' than most TBN'ers seem to report their dealers do.

 

[AlanB]

Thanks Rick,

It is at the annoyance level, I hate that when it sits on my trailer, there is an oil spot under it, and we have to be careful at customers houses where we park it. I just thought at first it had a plugged vent, until I could not find one.

When you check the fluid levels, do you screw the dipstick all the way in? or do you just stick it in till the threads hit?

Thanks.

Al B

 

[RickB]

I believe the book calls for screwing the dipstick in. I drop it in the hole without screwing it in. If it comes back out with any oil on it at all, that is equivalent to being screwed in and reading 'full'. Remember to have the front axle level side to side when checking. Due to the width of the axle, that is more important than whether or not the dipstick is dropped in on top of the threads or screwed all the way in. Overfilling reduces the air volume, increases pressure buildup, and promotes pressure-related leakage.

 

[AlanB]

Thanks, I was wondering becuase my book (operator manual) does not say.

The mowers and small engine folks usually tell you.

Thanks again for the help.