B20 Steering Leak.....

[depratt_equip]

Hoping maybe you guys over here could help me out. We came across a Kubota B20 that is leaking fluid from out of the top of the steering column. We replaced the seal in the top of the column, but it is still leaking some. Anyone know if there is a seal at the bottom of the steering column to keep fluid from coming up the column? Or what it might be from, or had this problem? Thanks

 

[kubmech]

Jon, unfortunately you're not going to get that seal to seal. I have run in to this problem many times. One of the main problems with that sytem is that the rubber bushing at the top of the steering column wears and allows dirt, water and debris to collect at the bottom of the column and that is where the seal rides. The shaft that the seal rides on wears as well as "stuff" gets inside the steering assy itself and damages the shaft mostly. I have replaced just the shaft before, I think that runs about 3 to 4 hundred bucks just for the shaft and had some luck. However if you have a shop do it, by the time you pay the labor, adding in the other associated parts, you could have bought a whole assy. The repair is somewhat risky, as a percentage will leak again even with the new shaft and our shop will not do it any more for that reason. The whole assy. will run you about 1100 to 1200 but in my opinion and experience it's worth the cost to just get it over with and replace the entire assembly.............

 

[depratt_equip]

Thanks for the info, figured someone had one into this before.

 

[depratt_equip]

Have you ever just replaced the seal in the bottom of the shaft housing? I took the column apart and found a pretty standard seal. I think a new seal will take care of the problem.

 

[kubmech]

Jon, have you looked at the shaft where the top seal rides? Is it grooved? 99% of the time it is. Once that groove wears in to the shaft it's done for. I don't quite understand what the bottom seal is going to do for you as far as the fluid leaking up the column. But if you've got a theory and it works let me know.......................... Or are we talking about the same seal? You have the bushing/seal at the very top of the column just below the steering wheel. If you remove the dashboard and steering wheel you will see how the column screws in to the steering unit with a big jam nut. Remove the upper column then seperate the steering shaft itself from the steering controller by pulling the pin (has two bent over tabs and the little o-ring where it secures the shaft) once that is out of the way you will see a seal in the upper part of the steering control assy. held in by a snap ring. Is that what you mean by the "lower seal" ? If that's the one you mean pull the snap ring and remove the seal, now note where the seal rides on the steering shaft, there should be no groove what so ever in the shaft, but most likely you will see one there. You may also want to pay close attention to the snap ring groove, many times the water and crud that collected down there has allowed that area to corrode as well and then you will have to deal with the seal popping out because the snap ring wont stay in the groove to hold the seal in. If we are talking about the same seal, then you are dealing with a can of worms that I have learned the hard way not to open. Now if you do find that where the seal rides/seals on the shaft is in good shape and the snap ring grooves are good and clean and the snap ring fits tight. CONGRATULATIONS.... (maybe play the lottery tonight) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, you have a better than 70% chance replacing the seal may work for you. Initially when you mentioned the top seal I thought you where reffering to the seal we are talking about now. But looking back now I'll bet you were talking about the upper seal/bushing. Anyway I recommend , if it's a customers tractor and you are doing this repair for him that you let him know if the seal blows again after you replace it he's looking at the entire assy. being replaced just to cover your butt.

 

[depratt_equip]

Ya im talking about the lower seal that you have to get out by taking the snap ring out. Shaft is in good shape, and so is the groove. Think the oil seal just dried up and started leaking, looks like it is cracked too allowing oil to seep past. Looks like I got lucky with this one. Thanks for all your help.

 

[kubmech]

Good deal, hope it works out for you...Sounds like it will.....

 

[rscorey]

I'm having trouble navigating in the site and maybe you can help with a related question. My b20 column is leaking but the bigger problem is the steering shaft wobbles. I pulled the wheel and there is no bushing inside the upper bushing to hold the shaft centered. There is a large rubber bushing that fits over the top of the steering tube with about a 1" hole and nothing to hold the 5/8 shaft inside that upper bushing. I have a Messicks diagram but there are so many parts there i have no idea which one I am missing but I must be missing something.

Suggestions please?

 

[jamesallenmillicanjr@gmai]

Hoping maybe you guys over here could help me out. We came across a Kubota B20 that is leaking fluid from out of the top of the steering column. We replaced the seal in the top of the column, but it is still leaking some. Anyone know if there is a seal at the bottom of the steering column to keep fluid from coming up the column? Or what it might be from, or had this problem? Thanks

 

[jamesallenmillicanjr@gmai]

I had the same problem on kabota b20 I took the steering wheel off I un screwed the steering housing (round
Pipe that goes in to the housing with the 3 bolts ) so I could disconnect the steering shaft. After you take out the Carter PIN be careful there's a spring side there you don't want to lose that spring can you take the three bolts out of the housing inside that housing oil seal part number 66363-66450 kabota. I changed it and the bushing at the top. . Fixed my problem .