Replacing right rear drive axle seals?

[lliberto]

Hi everyone, I just took my final drive assembly off of my 52 Cub because I am having trouble with the brakes. Since I'm down this far should I replace the axle seals? I have no idea if they are leaking. It's oily around there but the entire tractor is oily.

Thanks,

LJ

[Glen]

Hi,
My opinion is yes replace the upper shaft seals when the final drive is off, unless they have been replaced recently.
If you don't want to replace the seal in the right side of the transmission, look in with a light and see if it is leaking. If it is leaking it needs replacing. If it's not leaking, you could use it more, it's your decision. TM Tractor has the new seals, and gaskets.
If the lower shaft seals need replacing, the Cub service manual says that shaft needs to be pressed apart.

Hopefully you checked the transmission oil level, like they said on page 1 of this post. The oil should be only up to the level plug hole on the left side of the trans.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/df/245fp.htm

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/df/044fp.htm

[bob in CT]

Be prepared for thickness shock when you get new seals. The original seals were pretty complex rawhide seals that are very thick and more than one person has looked at the modern nitrile rubbber replacements and wondered if they have the correct parts. Many of the common parts can also be found locally. Here is a handy cross reference for parts. http://www.atis.net/CubFAQ/cub_faq.html#q7

[lliberto]

Sorry for all of the question, but if I do replace the seal shown in the attached picture of my 52 cub, do I remove the differential shaft inner bearing retainer? If so, is there a torque spec needed for the 3 bolts when I reassemble it? Is there anything that I need to be aware of with respect to the bearing itself? Could I damage the bearing accidentally?

[bob in CT]

You can download the full shop service manual in the PDF manuals section. I would start there.

Those can take some effort to remove as the housing has a O-Ring. Rock it out, it make take some patience, but once it starts to move you are all set. There are shims that set the preload so be careful you don't ding them up and they have to go back on on the side they came off.

[Glen]

Hi,
It looks like you are working on the left side.
That looks like an original IH seal in your picture. That is the style they were.
Have you checked the transmission oil level, at the level plug, it's in your pic, on the lower left of the trans. The oil should be filled to the hole level.
Here is a pic of the retainer, they can be tight in the hole. You might be able to get the seal out without removing the retainer, but they are thick seals.

[tst]

just stick a small pry bar behind the seal and it pops right out, use seal # 450043 is a nice heavy duty replacement seal

[Dale Finch]

Those shims that Jim mentioned, and you can see in Glen's photo above, are very easy to damage. As Glen said, that looks like an original seal. It will be quite thick and heavy duty and hard to get out. A seal puller should help.

My opinion, just replace the seal and leave the retainer alone. Make sure you remove any burrs where the seal seats, otherwise you'll be doing it again!

[lliberto]

just stick a small pry bar behind the seal and it pops right out, use seal # 450043 is a nice heavy duty replacement seal

Who carries seal # 450043?

[Bob McCarty]

Just google it. Most auto parts stores will have it.

Bob

[lliberto]

Thanks everyone

[PoconoCub]

just stick a small pry bar behind the seal and it pops right out, use seal # 450043 is a nice heavy duty replacement seal

Who carries seal # 450043?

The Timken number is 473419 probably easier to find, I believe the National seal number is the same.

[lliberto]

just stick a small pry bar behind the seal and it pops right out, use seal # 450043 is a nice heavy duty replacement seal

Who carries seal # 450043?

The Timken number is 473419 probably easier to find, I believe the National seal number is the same.

Thanks

[tst]

the 473419 will fit but does not have the steel plate on the back of the seal to help protect the rubber from being ripped

[lliberto]

the 473419 will fit but does not have the steel plate on the back of the seal to help protect the rubber from being ripped

So is there a universal part number that has the steel plate?