Ford NH 1920 front wheel drive hydraulic seal repair

[AlbionWood]

While waiting for the injectors to get fixed, I might as well tackle the leaking left front wheel drive. Oil is leaking out of the top of the bevel gear housing, where the pinion gear housing goes in, so I suspect it's the seal between the two. I've ordered a replacement seal and am just wondering how tricky it's going to be to get the old one out and the new one in. Do I need a special puller to remove the old seal?

 

[mjw357]

Not familiar with that model, but most seals can just be pried out with a screwdriver, you are not saving it for anything.

 

[TractorTech]

Exactly as @mjw357 said, not too tricky

 

[toot77]

I believe the front axle configuration of a 1920 is similar to other NH Shibaura tractors. On my 1520, that seal is a two piece seal / sleeve assembly and when you disassemble the front knuckle, the inner sleeve portion will likely stay on the upper casting while the outer part will stay in the lower casting. No special tools required, just some care to not damage either casting. A previous post in the New Holland Owning & Operating section: "TC30 Spindle Seal(need a second set of eyes)" has typical photos. Inspect the bearings as you will likely see wear appearing as a dulled surface. My thoughts and comments about changing the bearings are comment #12 in that post, if interested.

 

[AlbionWood]

Got this done! Getting the old seal out was a bit of a rodeo, as I didn't have a puller or a slide-hammer with a hook. Ended up just banging away at a heavy screwdriver, deforming the ring until it came loose. Once that was out the new one went in pretty smoothly. Just tapped it in with a rubber mallet.
I left the idler gear housing attached to the axle and dropped the bevel gear housing. Reassembly was a little fussy but went smoothly. I used a come-along from the rafter to hang the bevel gear housing and a small hydraulic jack underneath it to nudge it up into place.
All back together and not leaking at all!