The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi all, I went for the first proper run on the tractor since getting him today. It was about three miles, after stopping for 10 to 15 mins I noticed a puddle of brown yuk on the rim of the rear wheel, on closer inspection there was a continuous drip from the axle close to the wheel. I have attached a couple of pics. Is this a straight forward job? or should I find someone to sort all my leaks out ?
Thanks
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/vv25 ... G_0048.jpg
http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/vv25 ... G_0049.jpg

Hello Brinky,

Seems the oil in the rear end needs some attention.
What you have is a leaking oil seal at the end of the axle. To salve this, you will have to remove the 3pl cover on top and remove the axle. There's a topic about this job somewhere and from that I know you have to be careful witch oil seal you buy. There are two types. Try and find the topic.
While you are working at that part I think it's best to clean out the rear end and refill it with oil. That's about 40 L.

Thanks for that Henk, I will search for the topic, sounds like a big job, as yet I haven't been able to undo the wheel nuts on that side so would expect problems with all other nuts.
The joys of buying an old tractor

get a bit of pipework, stick it on the end of the bar to give you some more leverage, can undo anything that way
That doesn't look like oil coming out, the oil in the back end normally comes out looking like cream. My guess is .. that's rusty water :p

Have tried a six foot scaffold pole on the wheel nuts with no joy.
I agree it looks rusty in colour but had a very oily texture when I wiped it up...

Hi Brinky, the seals on your tractor are the standard seals available from Agraline among others, over here in the US these would be the heavy duty seals rather than the standard ones.
Soak the lug nuts with some penetrating oil, they should eventually come loose with some leverage, if not you may need to heat them with a torch to get them to brake loose.

Pat

I had this problem wih a Super Major which I bought a few years ago. It had been standing still for some time. The oil came out of the hub just as yours. I had to cut and bale hay, with no time to repair it. I filled up the oil every two days and than it stopped leaking. (After about 10 hours work) I think the seal was dry, got wetted by the oil and then made a proper seal No problem since.

I think you are right. Mine is leaking a bit now, but when I use here every week there's no leak.

Hello,

Also important is to put some grease to the grease points on the outer ends of the axles, this will also prevent oil leaking.

Best regards
Emiel

I have recently completed this job. The steps are as below. Hope this is helpful.

1 Remove wheels and support tractor on axle stands
2 Remove mudguards
3 Remove hydraulic cover
4 Undo large retaining nuts (left-hand thread) on final reduction gears
5 Ease reduction gears off splines and rest them on floor of rear axle housing
6 Using hydraulic jack (laid on its side) and wooden blocks apply pressure between side of axle housing and wheel hub until axle half shafts pop out
7 The axle half shafts can now be withdrawn by hand
8 Draw wheel bearing off its bearing fit
9 Remove old axle seal (single rubber lip seal) and its tin housing
10 If surface where lip seal runs is rusted or scored, fit speedisleeve (available from Silver Fox tractor spares)
11 Fit new seal housing
12 Replace wheel bearing
13 Fit new cork seal to end of axle trumpet housing (recommend adding liquid gasket to both sides of cork gasket to ensure no leakage)
14 Apply liquid gasket to outer recess of seal tin housing where it locates on end of axle trumpet housing
14 Replace half shaft
15 Replace final reduction gear
16 Tighten retaining nut and replace split pin
17 Using oak wedges between wheel hub and seal tin housing, squeeze tin housing against end of trumpet housing and using blunt chisel crimp tinwork into groove at the end of the trumpet housing
15 Replace hydraulic cover, mudguards and wheels

ps Whilst you have hydraulic cover off, it would advisable to drain the old oil, flush the steel basket oil pump filter and clean the floor of the rear axle. You'll be surprised how muck manages to get in. Your oil looks like it has become an emulsion - ideally it should be replaced.

Best wishes

Adrian