replacing 3000 axle seals

crewguy · Jun 4, 2009

I am trying to figure this deal out. I need to replace all four seals in my rear axle. If my axles have the nut (instead of the collar) and I get the nut off- do I still have to use a puller and remove the bearings to get to the seals? I understand there is also a seal located right inside the housing, but I want to replace all four seals. I have new brake shoes and want to do the job right the first time. Ford/New Holland quoted $250 (nut-type) or $350 (collar). Those prices are labor-only.

RickB · Jun 4, 2009

The outer bearings are a semi-press fit to the axle and will have to be pulled from the shaft after the nut/shrink collar is removed The few I have done that way were a tough pull. I do most of the seal replacement jobs that come to my dealership. If your tractor has a differential lock, it will have nuts retaining the bearings. If it is less difflock, it will have collars. From a total cost standpoint, it is quicker and (almost) cheaper for me to torch out the collar(if equipped) and bearing rather than use the OEM puller. I can completely disassemble one axle of either style in less than a half hour. Cleanup of parts and reassembly will take longer than that. And you end up with new bearings instead of old ones that have been severely loaded by a puller. One needs to be pretty fair with a cutting torch to not damage the threads on the style using nuts. Heating the bearings prior to reassembly helps tremendously. Your labor quote isn't far off: I'd probably be on the lower end of the range, but you would be buying the bearings which you may not be planning on currently.

Edit: My half hour disassembly time is for an axle/hub removed from the tractor and delivered to the shop.

crewguy · Jun 4, 2009

I am in the process of pulling the axles. I plan to take them to the dealer. This tractor doesn't have the posi-lock. How much will the bearings run me?

RickB · Jun 5, 2009

crewguy said:
I am in the process of pulling the axles. I plan to take them to the dealer. This tractor doesn't have the posi-lock. How much will the bearings run me?

Looks like about $50 per side for outer bearing cups & cones. That's for a 3000 less differential lock.