Greasing front axle pivot pin problem

[hardaground121]

The rear zerk fitting pivot pin on my L2501 won't accept any grease. Model year is 2020 and has only 125 hours.
(The front zerk was no problem as I had to remove the plug first. Then grease came out the overflow).

After removing the rear zerk fitting to make sure it was not clogged, I then cleaned out the hole and all I saw was clean metal underneath and no channel for grease to enter the bushing.

Maybe the bushing rotated out of position ? Any thoughts from you guys how to rotate it back or any other tips rather than getting into a big disassembly mess like dropping the axle ?

Thanks all !

 

[skeets]

If you have it out try cleaning the paint off the tip and try it out of the block,, or soak it in some solvent for a bit, or go to TS or RK and get a new metric fitting

 

[JonM]

use the bucket to take pressure off the axle by lifting tge front end a bit. then pump some grease in rotate the steering wheel left/right repeat. it wont take grease while the weight is on the axle

 

[hardaground121]

I'll give that a try tomorrow. I'm glad I found this issue before it could do real damage, score the bushing or axle itself

 

[Shawn T. W]

Once it does take grease, it only needs a few squirts/pumps ...

 

[#40Fan]

If you think the bushing might have spun, raise the front end with the bucket and look in the zerk fitting hole while moving the axle. You should see the spindle moving if the bushing is where it should be.

 

[GeoHorn]

One grease that deserves recognition for this purpose is “Moly” grease, because it’s purpose is to lubricate sliding bushings and pins. (the reason it’s often recommended for the FEl pivot/pins.

 

[GBJeffOH]

The rear zerk fitting pivot pin on my L2501 won't accept any grease. Model year is 2020 and has only 125 hours.
(The front zerk was no problem as I had to remove the plug first. Then grease came out the overflow).

After removing the rear zerk fitting to make sure it was not clogged, I then cleaned out the hole and all I saw was clean metal underneath and no channel for grease to enter the bushing.

Maybe the bushing rotated out of position ? Any thoughts from you guys how to rotate it back or any other tips rather than getting into a big disassembly mess like dropping the axle ?

Thanks all ! View attachment 166028 View attachment 166029

If you put in to much grease it blows the seal and fills up the torque tube.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Once it does take grease, it only needs a few squirts/pumps ...

i notice that on an L33 i have too.

very little grease and I use a manual grease gun so after a small squirt the pressure on the gun goes way up telling me it is full with little room to get out??

one reason why the 10,000 psi battery powered grease guns scare me a bit.

 

[hardaground121]

Thanks all but I had no luck trying all the above suggestions. With the front wheels suspended, turning far left, turning far right, then up and down, pumping like crazy, nothing oozed out. I even replaced the zerk and dug out my old manual grease gun to see if my new Milwaukee power gun was not strong enough.

I couldn't feel pressure building up so maybe I AM filling the torque tube BUT still wouldn't there be some oozing around the rear seam pivot case ? I scraped it clean with a pick so there's no hardened grease in there.

I even stopped by the local Kubota dealer today and chatted with the mechanic. He offered the same advice as you folks but with a thinly disguised smirk he said "Good Luck".

Labor would be about 4 hrs @ $80 per hr and with a wait time of 2 months.

So I'm not giving up yet. If anyone has a picture of this

opened up zerk hole, it might be interesting to compare.
...or of their procedure to access this bushing.

Cheers !

 

[Shawn T. W]

Read this https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/greasing-front-axle-support.65741/

Don't keep adding more grease ... If it took a couple of pumps, that's plenty.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I even stopped by the local Kubota dealer today and chatted with the mechanic. He offered the same advice as you folks but with a thinly disguised smirk he said "Good Luck".

2x the smirk.

Dan

 

[Runs With Scissors]

At only 80 bucks an hour, I can see why there is a 2 month wait.

We are well above that………close to twice as much.

 

[hardaground121]

Wow ! Maybe not so bad rate but I'd have to trailer it over my self and don't have such a thing

 

[Flintknapper]

Would it be feasable to slightly loosen these bolts to create 'clearance', grease the unit then tighten/torque them back?

 

[hardaground121]

That would be a clever work-a-round for sure. Knowing more about the bushing's internal grease channels would help. It's hard to visualize without photos or prior experience.
I suspect the housing cavity is holding all that grease I desperately pumped in yesterday. I don't believe it connects with the torque tube in any way.

 

[JonM]

i notice that on an L33 i have too.

very little grease and I use a manual grease gun so after a small squirt the pressure on the gun goes way up telling me it is full with little room to get out??

one reason why the 10,000 psi battery powered grease guns scare me a bit.

i learned the hard way and broke the piece that holds the axle. was easy to fix now i know how to do it. idiot tax gotta be paid now and then. i use a electric grease gun but go super easy on those joints now and dont over grease

 

[JonM]

Would it be feasable to slightly loosen these bolts to create 'clearance', grease the unit then tighten/torque them back? View attachment 166074

no dont do that.

 

[TheOldHokie]

no dont do that.

Hey man, get with the program. If it aint broke fix it until it is

Dan

 

[Blondie70]

I don't think there is supposed to be a grease zerk there. Only the front. Mine is the same way and I don' t know why there is a hole there. I read somewhere about it long ago. Good Luck.