BX2370 - rear axle seal came out. Why?

[CountryB]

I'm out running the tractor, and I noticed a shinny streak on the grass. It turns out that hyd oil is pouring out the left rear axle seal. The seal had just come partly out of the axle housing. I was able to push the seal in by hand and drive to the garage. There I tapped it in with a plastic head mallet. It didn't take much force to seat it.

So why did the seal come out? Should I be looking for a bigger problem?

I need to head over to Kubota now and get some Super UDT2 oil.

When I get back, I'll jack up that back tire and see if there is any slop in the wheel bearing.

Has anyone heard of this happening?

 

[CountryB]

I spoke with Kubota Service manger, he had not seen this happen before.
I pushed the seal back in and tapped it in with plastic faced hammer. Replaced the lost oil (about a gallon) and so far its staying in place and no leaks.

Just weird that it came out. There is no signs of anything catching the seal (like string or vine getting wrapped around the axle and pulling seal out).

No movement of axle (no up/down or in/out play) in shaft or bearing.

Maybe the seal was never installed fully - but the tractor is 4 years old now.

 

[Butch]

At about about 1500 hours I was on the back 40 when I smelled hot oil odors and noticed a oil streak on the grass. Turns out my right rear axle seal popped out ... all the way out! I barely got it back to the garage. I put the rear up on jack stands and pulled the tire. I detected no slop in the bearing.... but as a solid precaution I disassembled the hub from the axle and replaced the the seal with a new one. I now have 2200 hours on the B2410 and (knock on wood) have had no issues since.

Talked to my dealer who suggested to check the rear housing case vent... it was fine so we hav no idea why this happened.

 

[CountryB]

sounds like my situation too. I was able to push the seal far enough in by hand to stop the leak and drive back to shed.

I didn't think to check the vent. I'll do that now.