Front Wheel Hub Seal and Bearing Replacement

[brenth561]

Ran my new to me tractor all day Sunday and it worked like a top. I pulled it in my garage for the night and after it sitting for around 15 minutes I noticed a large black pool of oil? under the front right wheel and also all over the tire. I am thinking it may be hydraulic fluid from my FEL. I will pop the hood and take more pictures tonight.



I also noticed a small leak coming from what i believe to be the drive shaft?




I think on this one all i need to do is tighten up those bolts which I will do tonight. Figured it would be best to post on here since I have never owned a tractor like this.

 

[tcreeley]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

Check the level of the fluid in the front axle. That's probably what's leaking out of the hub. Run it dry and you do some some real damage. Good luck.

 

[brenth561]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

Check the level of the fluid in the front axle. That's probably what's leaking out of the hub. Run it dry and you do some some real damage. Good luck.

I checked the fluid level using the dip stick and it came out dry. Do I just need to add fluid or is this a sign of something failing and needing to be placed. I did check that everything was tight. Manual doesn't say which generic fluid will work. Anything I can get at tractor supply?

 

[motownbrowne]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

I checked the fluid level using the dip stick and it came out dry. Do I just need to add fluid or is this a sign of something failing and needing to be placed. I did check that everything was tight. Manual doesn't say which generic fluid will work. Anything I can get at tractor supply?

You should not operate it dry. Definitely not. Can't tell you what lube to use other than that it's probably either 80w-90 gear lube, or a universal tractor fluid. Hopefully someone will be able to help you out. Time to buy a service manual and replace the leaking seal. Shouldn't be a particularly difficult job.

 

[brenth561]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

You should not operate it dry. Definitely not. Can't tell you what lube to use other than that it's probably either 80w-90 gear lube, or a universal tractor fluid. Hopefully someone will be able to help you out. Time to buy a service manual and replace the leaking seal. Shouldn't be a particularly difficult job.

Manual says to use NH 134 hyd oil. I am thinking one of the drain plugs on the reduction gear case or the filter plug may be loose. I did not check those last night. Will check those tonight and refill with oil and keep an eye on it. I shouldnt have run it dry because when I pulled it in the garage it had oil on the floor so hopefully that means some was in it. I did not notice any leaking out when I was using it all day sunday but I was mostly in the grass so I probably would not have seen it anyway.

 

[tcreeley]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

I checked the fluid level using the dip stick and it came out dry. Do I just need to add fluid or is this a sign of something failing and needing to be placed. I did check that everything was tight. Manual doesn't say which generic fluid will work. Anything I can get at tractor supply?

I have a TC30. Hubs and front axle seem to have the same layout as yours. My manual says check front axle dipstick (yellow) to see if hydraulic oil is between the full mark and lower end of the dipstick when the tractor is on the level. It also says to check the final reduction gear case oil level (on the hub - side closest to the seat). On mine I have the lower drain screw at the bottom and the filler plug screw higher up, and inch or two to the left. The level is ok when it reaches the bottom of the fill port opening. I use NH134 Hydraulic oil. This can be hard to get. Try Messicks online. They are fast about getting it out. I don't like using anything else- don't want to risk it. (NH is discontinuing this oil and the Mastergold 10W30 engine oil.) I don't know what the replacement oils are from memory, but Messicks has something. I buy nothing except pins at tractor supply because they don't have a clue about anything. - I read some old threads that these hubs need rebuilding from time to time. My tire on the left will get drips on it, but no problem yet. I keep an eye on the oil levels. My TC30 gear tractor uses the NH134 hydraulic oil for the transmission, the loader, the front axle, the power steering. I always try to have some on hand. When you are able, you might need to change your fluids, filters. Keep your tractor greased.
Wish I could be more helpful, goodluck.

 

[brenth561]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

Drained and filled last night per the manual. It did have oil in the hubs. Refilled, used to unload a pallet and the front right wheel hub is leaking. I believe I need to replace the seal on the hub. I believe this is called the lip or knuckle seal? Thinking I will more than likely replace all the other seals, o-rings and bearings in there while I am at it. Seems like something I should be able to do myself. I do not have the service manual. Any advice/pointers for this job would be great

 

[motownbrowne]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

My advice/pointer would be to get a service manual. Call the parts counter at your NH dealer. They may be able to get you a good deal on one. They did for me.

 

[brenth561]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

My advice/pointer would be to get a service manual. Call the parts counter at your NH dealer. They may be able to get you a good deal on one. They did for me.

No dealers close to me but I will look online for a manual. I really only think I would need the torque specs for this job.

 

[motownbrowne]

Re: Help me identify these leaks on my TC18

You're probably right, it's not exactly rocket science. If you feel confident doing it, tear the thing apart.:thumbsup: