How serious is leaking rear wheel bearings?

ebonfyre · Apr 25, 2018

I have an International Harvester 3514 with a backhoe attached that is leaking hydraulic fluid from both rear wheels. It's pooling up pretty good in the rims. I'd love to have it fixed but it has been impossible to find reasonably priced parts to replace the bearings - over $500 for each bearing cone just for the parts is the best I've found.

Before I decide to dump a ton of money into such an old tractor I was hoping to get some opinions on how serious this could get if I just kept running it? I certainly don't like leaving oil all over the place. I just don't have enough experience with tractors to make this call yet.

As an aside, anyone have any good parts sources for this model? I'm finding next to nothing.

vapet · Apr 25, 2018

Is that a hydro transmission? If so could be based on the IH 656. Are you sure the bearings are bad and not just the seals? Have seen bad "O" ring on the wheel hub or cracked hub causing a leak. Many TLB's are based on a farm tractor for a base for the loader and hoe, sure makes it easier to find parts.

ebonfyre · Apr 25, 2018

Yes, it has a hydrostatic transmission. The 3514 is a farm tractor with a backhoe attached, from the late 60's early 70's.

I'm not sure about exactly what is wrong in there, I don't have the tools or shop space to break into anything that heavy myself. I was able to get a tractor mechanic to come look at it and his opinion is that it's the bearings.

Nice to hear there's a chance it may just be a seal of some sort, but I'm still curious what sort of risk I'd be taking if I opted not to repair and ran it with bad bearings.

How serious is leaking rear wheel bearings?

ebonfyre

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