Greasable axle seals

Hal, the dozer is getting a complete rebuild. I’m working on it when I can but it will take a few more months to complete. The shuttle clutch, gearbox and finals are all back together now so it’s starting to take shape again. Everything is getting a kerosene clean and new paint before it goes on. I’m taking the time now to do all the little mods that have been bugging me for years. The engine is my next priority. Will keep you posted how it turns out.

Thanks Bob, yes the axle has a double-lip oil seal protected by the felt seal on the outer. At first I thought to double up on oil seals like was done behind the steering clutch but soon realized I wouldn’t be able to inject grease into an oil seal to expel dirt unless I put it in backwards which defeats the purpose of a second seal so I stuck with one oil seal and the felt.

I chamfered the grease exit hole using a carbide burr but not for the purpose you describe, rather because I didn’t want sharp edges anywhere near my seal. Appreciate as always your technical input, surface stress is a new one for me. So far the axle breaks detailed on this forum have all occurred at the root of the bull gear spline.

Helpful tip; for assembly of the steering clutch put it in a lathe and use the tail-stock to compress the springs. Makes light work of a difficult job. Note the pinch bar mounted in the tool post to maintain alignment of the clutch plate teeth while tightening nuts.

My steering clutch compartments were full of rust from water ingress. Where the yoke shaft protrudes through the top of the housing there is only a felt ring to seal it. I machined out each housing and fitted an oil seal packed with grease which should help a bit. I can’t see any practical way to seal the brake band shaft but being on the vertical plane at least it won’t collect water.

With the engine removed it is a simple matter to install a grease point for the rear rocker bearing. A bolt tapped through from the underside prevents the bush working loose and falling out.

Dozer getting pretty – an old friend from USA came to visit so I put him to work!