Farmall M Axle Housing Question...

Stemmy · Mar 21, 2011

[b:d93238a97a]The gasket on my M's left axle housing is leaking. So, much to my excitement, it looks like I get to replace another gasket (might as well do both). I'm hoping for an easy way to fix this... Can I just loosen the housing bolts to get enough room to remove the old gasket, then cut the top side of the new gasket, slip it in and put a dab of RTV to seal it? Or is there more to it than that? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks ~Robby[/b:d93238a97a]

Rick(MN) · Mar 21, 2011

Before you go digging too deep on it, make sure it is actually the gasket and not the bull pinion seal. 90% of the time you will find its not the gasket. I made that very mistake many years ago in tech school. Wasnt the first person to ever make it and wont be the last.

Stemmy · Mar 21, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:27:42 03/21/11) Before you go digging too deep on it, make sure it is actually the gasket and not the bull pinion seal. 90% of the time you will find its not the gasket. I made that very mistake many years ago in tech school. Wasnt the first person to ever make it and wont be the last.

the gasket is ripped (somehow) and sticking out a pretty good bit in one spot and you can see the oil line from where its leaking, So im assuming its just the gasket. But im sure with my luck the seal is bad too.

sflem849 · Mar 21, 2011

I believe it can be done. It should go without saying that it isn't the perfect way to do it, but you should be alright.

Stemmy · Mar 21, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:47:33 03/21/11) I believe it can be done. It should go without saying that it isn't the perfect way to do it, but you should be alright.

I kno its not the "perfect" way to do it, but I dont really have the best working arrangements to tear the whole rear end apart.

Owen Aaland · Mar 21, 2011

Don't bother with the gasket. Get a couple of bolts that are a couple inches longer that the original. Support the center of the tractor. Install the longer bolts, one in the front and one in the rear of the housing. slide the axle housing out as far as the bull gear will allow. Clean off both surfaces where the gasket is. Put a continuous bead of RTV where the gasket was, encircling the bolt holes. Bolt the housing back on the rear frame.

If you have a way to lift the weight off the tire it is a little easier but you can also get by using a board and smearing a little grease on it where the tire can slide. The hardest part is probably cleaning the gasket surface. It must be clean and oil free for the RTV to seal properly.

Stemmy · Mar 21, 2011

I like the way you think lol. I plan on moving my wheel's this weekend anyway so Ill have the tractor up in the air (one side at a time) so it'd be the perfect chance to go ahead and seal them.

sflem849 · Mar 21, 2011

(quoted from post at 17:59:20 03/21/11) Don't bother with the gasket. Get a couple of bolts that are a couple inches longer that the original. Support the center of the tractor. Install the longer bolts, one in the front and one in the rear of the housing. slide the axle housing out as far as the bull gear will allow. Clean off both surfaces where the gasket is. Put a continuous bead of RTV where the gasket was, encircling the bolt holes. Bolt the housing back on the rear frame.

If you have a way to lift the weight off the tire it is a little easier but you can also get by using a board and smearing a little grease on it where the tire can slide. The hardest part is probably cleaning the gasket surface. It must be clean and oil free for the RTV to seal properly.

Wouldn't a can of brake clean work pretty well for that job?

Stemmy · Mar 21, 2011

brake kleen would work. I use paint thinner or rubbing alcohol most of the time.

Rootsy · Mar 21, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:00:56 03/21/11) [b:830e38ae69]The gasket on my M's left axle housing is leaking. So, much to my excitement, it looks like I get to replace another gasket (might as well do both). I'm hoping for an easy way to fix this... Can I just loosen the housing bolts to get enough room to remove the old gasket, then cut the top side of the new gasket, slip it in and put a dab of RTV to seal it? Or is there more to it than that? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks ~Robby[/b:830e38ae69]

If you are going to go through this trouble at least make sure the inner axle bearings are good. They are the ones that go kaput and then the bull gear eats its way through the rearend housing. For what has been suggested it is almost easier to just remove the tires, pull the PTO, unbolt the bull gear and gently slide it off axle and then pull the whole housing. Sounds like a lot of work but you are sure to get everything clean and inspected rather than fiddle around squirting RTV in the gap and hoping it seals. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Depends on just how clean and dry you can get it obviously.

Farmall M Axle Housing Question...

Stemmy

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Rick(MN)

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Stemmy

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sflem849

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Stemmy

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Owen Aaland

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Stemmy

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sflem849

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Stemmy

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Rootsy

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