Greasable axle seals

Forum Forums Bulldozer & Excavator Modification Greasable axle seals

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    • #46989
      Tontosgold
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        My dozer final drives have been weeping oil for years. The seals were shot after only 100hrs and it was too much of a bother to replace them. A broken axle became the justification for stripping the finals.  The oil seals locate behind a felt wiper which soon hardens off then dirt gets past it and chews out the seal. With this mod completed before the rebuild my machine should remain leak-free for longer.

        Centre drilled the axles and tapped for grease nipples. Drilled the exit hole at 19mm measured from the shoulder which puts it just outside the oil seal so grease can lubricate the felt wiper and force out any dirt.  The shaft is case-hardened so initially needs a carbide tip drill to break through. I just sharpened up a cheap masonry drill bit for this purpose.

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        Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
        Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

        QLD, Australia

      • #47051
        CTOA
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          How has this mod worked for you?

          CTOA - Founder

        • #47053
          Bob Rooks
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            Just saw this. Wow. Did you consider a double lip seal? Nice mod and beautifully done too but I hope you relieved (chamfered, like a crankshaft oil hole) the cross-drilled exit hole so as not to create a surface stress raiser. Lots of torque applied to that shaft. Hope it proves successful.

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          • #47056
            Tontosgold
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              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.

              Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
              Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

              QLD, Australia

            • #47057
              Tontosgold
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                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.

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                Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
                Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

                QLD, Australia

              • #47065
                Tontosgold
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                  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.

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                  Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
                  Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

                  QLD, Australia

                • #47067
                  Tontosgold
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                    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.

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                    Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
                    Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

                    QLD, Australia

                  • #47069
                    Bob Rooks
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                      Absolutely brilliant! :good:  B-)  :good:  B-)

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                    • #47200
                      Tontosgold
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                        Dozer getting pretty – an old friend from USA came to visit so I put him to work!

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                        Dozer YCT306S shuttle shift - root rake, tree-pusher, backhoe
                        Excavator Hyundai 17 ton

                        QLD, Australia

                      • #47203
                        Bob Rooks
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                          The white primer really brings out the yellow. Nice work, looking good.

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