My BX22 Front axle vent

[jeffmazz]

This is a picture of my frony axle vent on my BX22. I didn't get around to adding hose clamps because I am going to replace the rubber line with steel braided line.

Thanks for the idea bluecon1.

Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

This is a picture of the vent up under the hood.

 

[chucko]

Getting ready for some high water?

 

[gsxr1100]

I must ask one question. why?

 

[jeffmazz]

I have heard on this forum that the front axle is prone to leaking at the seals even when the machine is relatively new. I have also heard that the one possible reason is due to the fact that the axle is not vented---(my dealer agrees with this). This makes sense because heat build up in the axle will cause pressure to build up in the housing. When that pressure gets high enough the fluid will leak out of the weakest point which is the seals. Granted, the machine would have to be worked pretty hard in 4wd for this to occur but I think it is certainly possible. Rather than taking a chance of leaky seals-- the vent was very easy to do and it certainly wont hurt the machine. Besides that, I was bored and needed something to do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Best Regards,

Jeff

 

[Garrabo]

how does it release pressure while not allowing dirt to enter?
Are you using some sort of one way valve.

 

[ByronBob]

I've never heard of this. Is this common? I have the 2230 and now I'm worried. Should I be concerned?

 

[bellweather]

That assumes the axle is 100% filled with oil...isn't there some air in there? if the oil expands when hot, the air will compress. Is there a vent in the tranny, that gets even hotter? Also, since you now have a vent, you may want to put a filter or some mesh material over the vent port...just to prevent debris from entering (as someone else mentioned).

 

[Pks]

Don't *worry* about the potential for leakage. Just know that some of us have experienced oil leaking from the seals when the air pressure inside the front axle increases a few psi. The air pressure increases when the air temperature increases. This happens when the oil and air in the axle get warm.

The same thing can occur if the air pressure in the axle is cooled to winter temps and then the filler cap removed to equalize the pressure. If the ambient day temp warms the axle about 10 degrees, the seals may leak a little. That's what mine did in 30 degree weather in February this year. I checked the axle oil level at 20 degrees and then a week later I brought the tractor into the 30 degree garage for a couple of days. It was then the axle began to leak. As soon as I checked the oil level again, I heard air come out of the axle as the cap was removed, and the leak stopped.

Basically the leaking can occur on hot days or on cold days. What matters is the internal air pressure of the axle. If you see an axle leak, open the filler cap. That will equalize the pressure and the leak will/may stop.

To completely remove the potential for the "pressure created front axle oil leak" add a breather as shown in the photos above.

Cheers.

 

[bluecon1]

Nice job Jeff. The question was asked about filtering the vent, being that it looks like you installed the same kind of vent that I did. All I did was fold up some paper towel several times, and ti-wrap it to the vent. This thing doesn't need to breath alot of air, so it should be fine. I haven't any trouble since I vented mine.

Bellweather: there is a vent under the seat of the 2200........that was my next modification if Kubota hadn't done it from the factory. As others have mentioned, you just need to hear the gasp of air once when opening the dip stick on the front axle to realize the pressure that can build here. As Jeff mentioned, it doesn't take long to do this little mod.

 

[jeffmazz]

Garrabo,

I have a one way valve on the end of the vent tube. I got it off of an old chevy 4x4 transfer case vent.

Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

Bluecon1,
Thanks.
My vent is a one way valve---but I wonder if some sort of filter would be better. I might look into that.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

The finished product with steel braided line.

 

[Jimbrown]

That thing is far to clean mine has not been that clean since the first day I owned it. Second if you try and push any kind of brush you are gonna rip it off. Would not last one day on mine. I had to build a brush guard to keep from tearing the loader hoses off. I think you fixed something that was not broke. But it is pretty.

 

[jeffmazz]

Jimbrown,
Sounds like you're getting your money's worth out of your machine. I agree, any rough work in thick brush would most likely pop the hose off. Fortunately I don't have any of that stuff around my place to worry about. I would remove the hose and cap the fitting if I ran into that type of work.

Regards,

Jeff

 

[HarleyScooter]

Jeff, What type of fitting did you use in place of the plug on the front axle? I took the plug out and the threads do not appear to be pipe thread, they look more like a straight thread?
Thanks
Frank

 

[jeffmazz]

Frank,
I drilled out the original fill plug and tapped it for a 1/8" npt. The plug is pretty soft and easy to drill in a press.

Jeff