John Deere 4300 about to make me insane in the membrane

[jayohio]

Im new here at posting but ive lurked on this page for a while, never thinking id need help, well the day has come. I have a John deere 4300, and its leaking from the bottom of the front axle. It started when I raised the front up by the loader to remove the wheel to get the tire fixed, and then took the tire with me , got busy forgot about it for a couple days, and when I got back to it it was sitting on the concrete. Anyway heres the picture of where it is leaking from

I read all the axle leaker threads I could but none of them spoke to me on what this problem is. I tried the JDparts and couldn't seem to locate it. Im hoping I can fix myself. this leak empties the axle in minutes.



Thanks

 

[joecdeere]

shoot me your email, I have a PDF of the Parts book and the Tech manuals from deere you're welcome to

Joe

see if this helps -

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

My guess is you need new seals. Baling twine is sometimes the culprit. Or fishing string.

 

[Zebrafive]

I have also seen the baling twine ruin a seal, JD 4310 setting round bales for horses.

 

[wrede]

If it's leaking around the axle spindle behind the wheel, it's the wheel seal. This happened to mine a few years ago, and I was able to fix it myself. The new seal is different than the old. The old one rode on the face of the spindle, the new one is a two piece seal where both halves are a tight fit on the ID of hub and the OD of the spindle, though I only discovered that when I got the new seals. No instructions of course. The opposite side started leaking a few weeks after the first episode. The early axle (check serial # on casting next to fill plug) has a large nut that requires rather high torque to get it off. Mine was a later one (2001) that had snap rings, but I needed a heavy press to get it apart. I had written about this on the forum. See thread - wrede - 03-20-2011, 05:13 PM . I now have almost 900 hours on the tractor, and it is still dry on both sides.

 

[jayohio]

If it's leaking around the axle spindle behind the wheel, it's the wheel seal. This happened to mine a few years ago, and I was able to fix it myself. The new seal is different than the old. The old one rode on the face of the spindle, the new one is a two piece seal where both halves are a tight fit on the ID of hub and the OD of the spindle, though I only discovered that when I got the new seals. No instructions of course. The opposite side started leaking a few weeks after the first episode. The early axle (check serial # on casting next to fill plug) has a large nut that requires rather high torque to get it off. Mine was a later one (2001) that had snap rings, but I needed a heavy press to get it apart. I had written about this on the forum. See thread - wrede - 03-20-2011, 05:13 PM . I now have almost 900 hours on the tractor, and it is still dry on both sides.

I think I read your thread.


I just got a quote from John Deere, to replace seal 700$ if the bearing is also bad its 950$

lol

The seal they quoted was 140$

I have no choice but to try and repair it myself.

 

[jayohio]

On the above schematic, mine is leaking at part 24

 

[wrede]

Oh, if it's that plug, that's a different story. Mine was the seal (part 8) leaking between parts 7 and 9. The plug seems to be like a freeze plug that is pressed or tapped into place, probably with some sealant. Perhaps the plug got dislodged when the axle rested on the concrete. The plug is listed online at $8.59, and I'd guess you could tap it in pretty easily, using a sealant. It wouldn't require any disassembly, just remove the old plug.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

On the above schematic, mine is leaking at part 24

You might double check where it is coming from. Pressure wash it with hot soapy water and get it clean enough to eat off. Go get some Dr. Scholl athletes foot spray in a can and spray the area. It will look like its covered in talcum powder. You will easily be able to see where the leak is coming from.

Good luck.

 

[jayohio]

I just ordered the plug, if that's all it is I am gonna be one happy and super appreciative dude. I will update when I get it.