DK-40se/hst noise from left front wheel area

[Coyote machine]

Most recent findings. Currently have 250hrs on machine. Checked fluid level in front diff. It was low but no apparent reason- possibly was never high enough from the factory/dealer.
Found the sight glass with a white plastic ball on left side at back of axle tube. drained out some of the existing fluid to see what it looked like. Found it needed changing even though the fluid at the fill hole seemed much cleaner. Put some UTF in and the sight glass showed too much fluid so removed excess from each drain plug on right and left side small bolt at backside at bottom of axle 'tower'. Topped the fluid off again and got it closer to the hatch mark on the sight glass, where the white ball floats to the center of the red circle inside the sight glass. It is totally different than the owner's manual shows so exercise due caution when working on this part of the tractor.
Soon will drain out all fluid and change it with 2 gallons of fresh UTF.
Did note some very tiny metal particles, but this is the first change on this machine, even though the manual says to do it at 50 hr service. Meant to but missed it. No excuse - I will be keeping a closer eye on it from now on.

Had a guy who is welding some expanded metal on my brush guard listen to the diff and wheels turning when jacked up today and he said it sounded like normal planetary gears and axle/diff motion noise- so hopefully this potential big problem is squashed.

Thanks to all who had ideas, etc.

Now to figure out where all the grease goes when hitting the Zerk at the side of the tower like tubes out by the wheels?!:confused2:

Thx,

CM

 

[grsthegreat]

Most recent findings. Currently have 250hrs on machine. Checked fluid level in front diff. It was low but no apparent reason- possibly was never high enough from the factory/dealer.
Found the sight glass with a white plastic ball on left side at back of axle tube. drained out some of the existing fluid to see what it looked like. Found it needed changing even though the fluid at the fill hole seemed much cleaner. Put some UTF in and the sight glass showed too much fluid so removed excess from each drain plug on right and left side small bolt at backside at bottom of axle 'tower'. Topped the fluid off again and got it closer to the hatch mark on the sight glass, where the white ball floats to the center of the red circle inside the sight glass. It is totally different than the owner's manual shows so exercise due caution when working on this part of the tractor.
Soon will drain out all fluid and change it with 2 gallons of fresh UTF.
Did note some very tiny metal particles, but this is the first change on this machine, even though the manual says to do it at 50 hr service. Meant to but missed it. No excuse - I will be keeping a closer eye on it from now on.

Had a guy who is welding some expanded metal on my brush guard listen to the diff and wheels turning when jacked up today and he said it sounded like normal planetary gears and axle/diff motion noise- so hopefully this potential big problem is squashed.

Thanks to all who had ideas, etc.

Now to figure out where all the grease goes when hitting the Zerk at the side of the tower like tubes out by the wheels?!:confused2:

Thx,

CM

recheck that site glass in a few days..the level will go down as the oil shifts and settles.

 

[ikrywe]

Hard to hear the noise but it is clearly coming from some part of the left front wheel area. Sounds like a clicking, ratcheting noise and is apparent in forward and reverse. It is there whether going straight or turning, and without 4x4 being engaged. Sort of sounds like a CV joint click, but fainter and more like a ratcheting sound....
Note: my workhand who helps around the place said when he went to grease the fitting at the wheel which faces forward at the top of the axle housing it took a half a tube of grease and did not come out anywhere as one expects to see when greasing fittings?!:confused2:

Any ideas?
TIA,
CM

Oh, and on another note I broke the 3/8" winch cable on my winch today on the last pull of the day! Bummer...

I am not sure if you sorted this out, but I had the same condition on my 2020 Kioti DK5310 with ~250 hours. I called my local dealer (Addy's Power Equipment in New York state), they recommended I grease the center pivot of the axle and the steering pivots on both ends. I had already done that, but the other suggestion he gave was to check my lug nuts. Sure enough that was it. I was missing 1 stud on my front left wheel and the others were not tight (torque spec-wise). I snugged them up and the noise was gone. Silly, simple solutions are the best. I hope this helps others.