[Kubota B3200] "Rear Seal is leaking" - What/where exactly is the "rear seal" on this tractor?

[Forest_Man]

I brought in the tractor to install the grapple and I asked the dealer to diagnosis a small leak in the rear end of the tractor.

They diagnosed it as "rear seal leak" and $800 plus fluid cost to repair it. I am trying to confirm and better understand what exactly is the "rear seal" - is this the seal at each end of the shaft, right before each rear wheel?

If so, why would the leak be in the center of the tractor and not right below the rear seals?

Could someone take a look at these photos and tell me where they think the leaking is coming from?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldnslo]

If you get on the ground and look up at the bottom of the tractor you might have a better idea of where the leak is coming from. Could be the input shaft seal going into the transaxle, could be mid PTO if your tractor has that feature, etc.

 

[chim]

Whe I hear the term "rear seal" the first thought is the rear engine seal.

 

[Forest_Man]

When I hear the term "rear seal" the first thought is the rear engine seal.

Interesting.

I am pretty sure the dealer was talking about the axle seal. He even said he would need to remove the wheels to replace the seal.

 

[Forest_Man]

If you get on the ground and look up at the bottom of the tractor you might have a better idea of where the leak is coming from. Could be the input shaft seal going into the transaxle, could be mid PTO if your tractor has that feature, etc.

To be honest I didn't look up from the bottom... I can see this could be a leak from the input shaft as well... I need to check and see what I can see..

 

[sd455dan]

Interesting.

I am pretty sure the dealer was talking about the axle seal. He even said he would need to remove the wheels to replace the seal.

yes after zooming in it almost looks like the right side axle shaft seal may be weeping.

 

[Forest_Man]

yes after zooming in it almost looks like the right side axle shaft seal may be weeping.

Just to confirm, you think this could be leaking, correct:

And would a leak from this area run down to the center of the tractor and fall on the ground? I am trying to confirm this could be happening here.

 

[oldnslo]

Reach under that axle and feel for oil. If wet it is leaking somewhere in that area.

 

[sd455dan]

Just to confirm, you think this could be leaking, correct:

View attachment 1427471

And would a leak from this area run down to the center of the tractor and fall on the ground? I am trying to confirm this could be happening here.

Possibly.

I would wash that whole area after some degreaser and blow it dry and also look closely under that Hydraulic filter maybe it isn't sealing well. I have to clean everything to dry before looking for a source.

 

[rumwrks]

+1 on figuring out where the leak actually is.

Also check the torque on all of the bolts... I found some "finger tight" (or more accurately finger loose") bolts on the axle on my B2601 which was undoubtedly assisting the hydraulic seep on that side.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I can't tell from the photos, and not knowing the B series line much at all, I don't know how long it should take to get that axle housing off, replace the $30 seal and put it all back. An $800 (plus fluid) quote indicates to me the shop is guessing at seven to eight hours involved. Without looking at it from all sides I can't say it should take that long.

 

[Chuxster]

Spray everything down with degreaser then add some UV dye to see where the leak is…….. This can pin point the source of the leak with a UV light.
Fluid leaks on the ground are hard to see where they are coming from so that is why I suggest using UV dye.

 

[ismilelots]

Just to confirm, you think this could be leaking, correct:

View attachment 1427471

And would a leak from this area run down to the center of the tractor and fall on the ground? I am trying to confirm this could be happening here.

If that is a slow leak, it could seep down and it would cling to the frame and drip off the part pointing down just to the left of your axle seal in the picture (near where your oil leak shows on the ground)

 

[aircommuter]

Like others said, clean and let sit for 1/2 hour then examine the area. Use a light if needed. If you don’t see anything then drive it a bit. Check again. If you use it too much it may spread and make the source difficult to find.

 

[charlessenf]

If so, why would the leak be in the center of the tractor and not right below the rear seals?

View attachment 1423692

Well, gravity, maybe. but that would likely result in a trail from a 'high point' to a lower one.

Why not ask the dealer where the seal he will replace is? He should be able to point to it or show you a picture/diagram in the shop's repair manual.

Surely his mechanic knows exactly where it is, right?

 

[aircommuter]

Why high to low? The oil is sitting in the lowest place when it’s not operating. If want to trust the dealer diagnosis just ask for a written qoute.

 

[Robert Soccio]

Why high to low? The oil is sitting in the lowest place when it’s not operating. If want to trust the dealer diagnosis just ask for a written qoute.

I have the same tractor w/the same leak that I had fixed. I think the deal leaked & ran down the bottom of the axle housing to the lowest point and then dropped. Anyway, in order to replace it the axle housing needs to be removed because the seal is on the inside of the housing cover. In my case I recently had a hydraulic oil change so my guy recycled the oil.

 

[aircommuter]

Might try Seal Lube. You can find it on eBay. I never believed in a product like this until I tried it for a torque converter seal that hasn’t leaked in 15 years after trying it.

 

[Robert Soccio]

Might try Seal Lube. You can find it on eBay. I never believed in a product like this until I tried it for a torque converter seal that hasn’t leaked in 15 years after trying it.

I wouldn't. It might contaminate the oil or get into some area of the trans that'll make matters worse. Anyway, that'll only stop it temporarily. If it's a slow leak, top off the trans occasionally, save your pennies and bite the bullet.
ps: If you're due for a udt change, the dealer might not charge full price for the oil change since it needs to happen to replace the seal. That's a crap job anyway which requires disconnecting a linkage rod to get at the trans filter.
Good luck.

 

[aircommuter]

I have been using it for over 15 years and it has not contaminated any gear box, engine, hydraulic system even automatic transmission. I have rebuilt hundreds of automatic transmissions, differentials and engines. It has proven to be more permanent than the original seal. After all the seal he has isn’t permanent.