How to Tell if Front Axle Bearing is Bad?

[kemartin3]

I've had both sides of the front axle rebuilt on my L3710 over the years. One time it was just the seal. The other time the bearing cage came apart. The mechanic said they are kinda known for that problem. Both times I pulled the assembly off (four bolts) and had the dealer rebuild them. About $150 dollars each time, though that was about 10 years ago. No trouble since.

 

[Oz_Kioti]

Some things to think about.... Most of the compact tractors on the market since about 1980 use some variation of this same outer axle/bearing/seal design. And most of them - as well as the original company that invented them - recommend both/either trans/hydraulic (UDT) or multiweight gear oil. Both types of oil have similar viscosities.

This type front axle is NOT rated for full time use, and particularly not with a loader. It is intended just to get past a difficult spot and then put it back into 2WD.

There's not much level ground in our 40 acres, and with only 2WD in use, tyre spinning on the grass is frequent. The tyres are not loaded, so for most of the time, I use the FWA (front wheel assist).

The tractor is 76hp, so not a typical compact size. Would your comments about only engaging FWA infrequently apply here? I've put 1400 hours on it in five years.

 

[rScotty]

There's not much level ground in our 40 acres, and with only 2WD in use, tyre spinning on the grass is frequent. The tyres are not loaded, so for most of the time, I use the FWA (front wheel assist).

The tractor is 76hp, so not a typical compact size. Would your comments about only engaging FWA infrequently apply here? I've put 1400 hours on it in five years.

There's exceptions to everything. In your tractor I'd guess front wheel bearngs and seal life depends on the make of the tractor, how you use the loader, and the type of axle it has.

We have two large tractors on our place. The M59 Kubota has that dual bevel gear offset axle just like most compacts - although it does have somewhat heavier castings
So although that loader is rated at close to 4000 lbs, I rarely lift anything over 3000 or carry more than about 2000 for any distance. Those offset bevel gears and wheels appreciate some TLC.

The JD310SG has a whole different type of axle. As far as that 310 front axle goes, that tractor can safely carry whatever weight it can lift.

There are two different things going on here.

1.The loader can't help but stress the front wheel bearings and those associated seals.
2. Using the FWA all the time stresses the front drive shaft, drive shaft joints, transmssion main shaft, and tranny & differential seals.
Loader weight affects both.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[redman135]

Oz_Kioti your hills are mainly "easy rolling hills". In the wet,4x4, in dry with dew on the ground, 4x4. You are actually at greater risk of a runaway in long damp grass with hard dry ground (less traction)than in the wet with soft growing grass as you are not expecting it.
Personally I would generally run in 4x4 on your hills. Also if you don't have ballast in the back wheels, add it, and widen the back wheel track for stability. You will find a big improvement.
On my place with steeper hills I just run permanant 4x4 for safety.(case 105hp)

 

[jjeff]

Replaced both front axle bearings and seals on my old l2850 and on one side replaced a bevel gear in the backwoods about 10 yrs ago. If you diy save your knuckles and inappropriate 4 letter words for another project and get a decent set of snap ring pliers. 45 or 90 degree of I'm remembering correctly. I only run gear oil in the front axles 75 90 synthetic or similar, Been told by more experienced folks initial Failure was cuz I was using and overloading the bf 500 fel a lot. Bevel gear failing was my fault I'll say my learning curve fault. My older kubotas are problaby over built but not bulldozers.

 

[grsthegreat]

When my bearing failed, it chipped a few gears on the bevel gear. This happened during height of covid parts scarcity. I was able to track one down about 2000 miles from me. Glad to get it.

Later i purchased a spare bevel gear, set of bearings and seals. Not going to have another down time mess in the future.

When i was doing generator installs, i was carrying alot of heavy loads up front….near max capacity loads. This probably caused the failure to begin with. I did all the repair work myself as i own a shop manual. Wasnt very hard to do.