L3450 axle removal help needed

[chris989]

Hello All,

First post,,, glad i found the site.


I have a L3450 and i broke off the drain plug that is on the brake case housing. (three point pin came out and the lower arm jambed into the cast iron case)


I am stuck at the axle case. I removed all of the bolts and everything in the way. Looking at the Kubota parts diagram, I see nothing holding it?????

I do not want to force it. If i can not weld the brake case the new one is 600+ so i do not want to cause anymore damage.

In the third picture, it feels like a clip may be holding it in the area of the screwdriver tip.

All help is appreciated.

thanks in advance
Chris

 

[chris989]

parts diagram

 

[rbargeron]

I agree there shouldn't be anything else holding it except the factory glue.
I've found that, when separating housings, the factory adhesive sealant is unusually tough. Breaking it loose and cleaning it off the surfaces is often a project all by itself. In addition the dowel pins (50) are snug - which is great for alignment but makes it harder to take the joint apart.

One method is to use 3 or 4 thin-bladed wedge-type tools like small screwdrivers, driving them into the seam at several points a little at a time, evenly pushing the joint apart. Pick locations where the housing is thicker instead of thin flange areas.

The parting line has a gasket and adhesive that provides a thin layer of non-metal material to drive tool tips into. Go slow, be patient, don't pry on the wedges, keep working the whole housing straight away. A hairline break will appear. Keep working it off the dowels. Good luck.

 

[D2Cat]

When I need to separate two pieces like that, I try to use some putty knives, with a sharp edge ground on them, to start with. It helps break the seal with less risk of something popping.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Putty knives but run a razor knife where/when you can on the rest of the seal. Patience is another tool to use.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The reason your having a tough time splitting it, is someone has been in there before and "glued" the pieces together with red RTV.

As others have said, Use a sharp putty knife and work the seam till you can get it to pop loose.

I've emailed you a link to download the WSM for that tractor.

 

[chris989]

Thanks for the replies,

I called Kubota this morning and the service tech said be patient, there is nothing holding it.

I separated them easily, it was in inner axle shaft that was holding it. With three pry bars, I worked around and around and slowly it inched out.

Now i just hope my machinist can weld it.

Thanks again
Chris