How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?

Suburban Plowboy · 2025-09-18T15:26:35-0400

My Kubota L3710 released some oil from the left front hub. Not much. I topped it off and ordered parts so I could replace a seal, an O-ring, and two bearings.

My understanding is that if I jack the wheel up and wrestle with it, and it doesn't seem loose, I can keep using the tractor until the parts get here. Is that true?

oldnslo · 2025-09-18T16:02:38-0400

If bearings are bad you should feel some play when trying to rock it or wrestle with it. Depending on how bad could also feel rough when turning the wheel.

Suburban Plowboy · 2025-09-18T18:55:50-0400

Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.

RayIN · 2025-09-18T19:43:30-0400

Suburban Plowboy said:
Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.

Not without affecting all the seals common to that lubricating system.

oldnslo · 2025-09-18T20:28:38-0400

Suburban Plowboy said:
Thanks. I am wondering if I can shoot something in there to seal the leak up so I can fix it when the weather is cooler.

If minimal leak and bearings ate not bad you might be better to just keep adding oil vs trying something to plug the leak.

old and tired · 2025-09-19T10:48:45-0400

Are you using UTF or the thicker gear oil?

Suburban Plowboy · 2025-09-19T11:22:58-0400

It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.

Mike1955 · 2025-09-19T11:38:20-0400

Suburban Plowboy said:
It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.

I personally would think that in the colder climates the super udt would pay off. Because of the viscosity. But you are right it be difficult to keep in there with a small leak

oldnslo · 2025-09-19T12:57:03-0400

Suburban Plowboy said:
It has UDT in it. I was going to top it off with thicker oil, but somewhere I saw something about potential problems. I doubt it's true, but I don't want to be bitten in the rear end.

I would be cautious mixing UDT with gear oil. Not sure if there would be compatibility issues or not.