gear reduction pressure?

[jimmysisson]

I changed out the fluids in front axle and front gear reductions the other day. This 2120 has 1800 hours, good care, stays indoors since new. I had noticed the left reduction housing leaking where the lower part of the spindle housing mates with the gear reduction housing. I figured I was facing a tear-down and new seals or something. When I pulled the filler plug (first, before drain plug) there was a whoosh of pressure out from the reduction housing. Now, several hours later, no sign of the leak! What would make pressure in the reduction housing? Ambient temps were '50s to '60s, no direct sun, and only about an hour's use before draining to warm up the oil. Right side showed no pressure. Any ideas?
Thanks, Jim

 

[jimmysisson]

I changed out the fluids in front axle and front gear reductions the other day. This 2120 has 1800 hours, good care, stays indoors since new. I had noticed the left reduction housing leaking where the lower part of the spindle housing mates with the gear reduction housing. I figured I was facing a tear-down and new seals or something. When I pulled the filler plug (first, before drain plug) there was a whoosh of pressure out from the reduction housing. Now, several hours later, no sign of the leak! What would make pressure in the reduction housing? Ambient temps were '50s to '60s, no direct sun, and only about an hour's use before draining to warm up the oil. Right side showed no pressure. Any ideas?
Thanks, Jim

 

[Bird]

I'm not familiar with that tractor, but does it not have a vent of some kind that's stopped up? If it's sealed, with no vent, even temperature changes could build up pressure in it.

 

[Bird]

I'm not familiar with that tractor, but does it not have a vent of some kind that's stopped up? If it's sealed, with no vent, even temperature changes could build up pressure in it.

 

[SteveInMD]

Was the oil in good shape when you drained it? Or did it have water in it?

 

[SteveInMD]

Was the oil in good shape when you drained it? Or did it have water in it?

 

[jimmysisson]

Oil was used but dark-clean, no water to be seen. No vent either, that I can see. I changed oil in the main axle housing too, and that was clean, though probably less volume in there than the amount called for. I wasn't measuring, though. I don't know if the oil from the axle housing could leak into the wheel reduction housing or not. Could that cause an overfilled wheel reduction housing? Then would it cause a little pressure build-up? But, no oil ran out of the filler opening, just the air. I also assume there's a seal between the axle and the wheel reduction housing, though it may not be intact.
I don't think this is worrisome yet, just curious.
Jim

 

[jimmysisson]

Oil was used but dark-clean, no water to be seen. No vent either, that I can see. I changed oil in the main axle housing too, and that was clean, though probably less volume in there than the amount called for. I wasn't measuring, though. I don't know if the oil from the axle housing could leak into the wheel reduction housing or not. Could that cause an overfilled wheel reduction housing? Then would it cause a little pressure build-up? But, no oil ran out of the filler opening, just the air. I also assume there's a seal between the axle and the wheel reduction housing, though it may not be intact.
I don't think this is worrisome yet, just curious.
Jim

 

[Soundguy]

I traded my NH 1920 a couple years ago, but DO remember thast ever time I service dthe front axle and final drives.. it had pressure.. and yes.. when the pressure built up.. I got a seeping leak that went away.

An No.. the fill cap is not vented.. go figure.

I can't remember now, if the final drives shared the oil.. or if there were 3 fills /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.. I don't have my 1920/2120 manual anymore either.. i let it go with the tractor in exchange for the manual for my 7610s that I had traded for.

I had considered finding a vented drain plug.. even if i had to modify a vented mower gearbox plug... but then I traded the tractor... You may want to investigate that.. find a mower gearbox plug with a vent... some JD ones even have the dipstick... cut the dipstick to fit, and bushing it for the correct size hole.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I traded my NH 1920 a couple years ago, but DO remember thast ever time I service dthe front axle and final drives.. it had pressure.. and yes.. when the pressure built up.. I got a seeping leak that went away.

An No.. the fill cap is not vented.. go figure.

I can't remember now, if the final drives shared the oil.. or if there were 3 fills /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.. I don't have my 1920/2120 manual anymore either.. i let it go with the tractor in exchange for the manual for my 7610s that I had traded for.

I had considered finding a vented drain plug.. even if i had to modify a vented mower gearbox plug... but then I traded the tractor... You may want to investigate that.. find a mower gearbox plug with a vent... some JD ones even have the dipstick... cut the dipstick to fit, and bushing it for the correct size hole.

Soundguy

 

[daTeacha]

Maybe if you park it with the front end downhill the air will go back out where it came in. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[daTeacha]

Maybe if you park it with the front end downhill the air will go back out where it came in. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe if you park it with the front end downhill the air will go back out where it came in )</font>

Since we are talking about a sealed front axle/ final drive unit.. the air got in where the oil got in.. and as far as i know.. there is no vent... That was the point of the message.... no vent = pressure buildup due to air temp and atmospheric pressure changes..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe if you park it with the front end downhill the air will go back out where it came in )</font>

Since we are talking about a sealed front axle/ final drive unit.. the air got in where the oil got in.. and as far as i know.. there is no vent... That was the point of the message.... no vent = pressure buildup due to air temp and atmospheric pressure changes..

Soundguy

 

[JerryG]

It is my understanding that the front axles on these compact tractors are not supposed to be vented. The reason is because of the amount of water that they were originally designed for operation in. If the oil level is to high it will create too much pressure and cause leaks. This is one area that it would actually be better to be a very slight bit low on fluid than to have any amount of overfill.

 

[JerryG]

It is my understanding that the front axles on these compact tractors are not supposed to be vented. The reason is because of the amount of water that they were originally designed for operation in. If the oil level is to high it will create too much pressure and cause leaks. This is one area that it would actually be better to be a very slight bit low on fluid than to have any amount of overfill.