Ford 555B transmission leak

I recently bought a "well used" 555b backhoe. I have a couple of issues that I want to post for possible tips:

1) Once I got the unit home and started looking at fluid levels, I discovered the transmission level was very low (both checkpoints were low, but the rear one for the rear axle was pretty dry). So I started to top it off and immediately noticed a significant leak around the linkage for the right side brake stem. I'm not sure if this is correct terminology but it is where the brake linkage goes into the rear axle housing. I'm assuming it is a seal issue. Is this a repair that can be made without splitting the transmission?

2) The unit runs good. It goes into all the gears fairly easy. The forward and reverse seems to work pretty good. Occasionally it will not go into reverse, but if you slide it back into neutral and then back to R it will usually go into gear. Not sure what this is about?

3) Probably a bigger issue is that the tractor struggles to pull a hill in 3rd and 4th gear. You can drop it down into 2nd and that seems to do better. Is this something that can be remedied pretty easy, ie. change filter and/ or get transmission level up to where its supposed to be? Or is it something major that may require a more extensive transmission repair?

Any help you guys can offer will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Ok so just found this online

http://www.external_link.com/ford_tractor_parts_brake_rod_seal_c5nn2n336a_3416_prd1.htm

It sounds like this is a pretty common repair/ part. Does this look correct to you guys that are in the know.

(quoted from post at 19:09:48 09/08/14) I recently bought a "well used" 555b backhoe.

1) I noticed a ignificant leak around the linkage for the right side brake stem.

2) Occasionally it will not go into reverse, but if you slide it back into neutral and then back to R it will usually go into gear.

3) the tractor struggles to pull a hill in 3rd and 4th gear. Is this something that can be remedied pretty easy, ie. change filter and/ or get transmission level up to where its supposed to be?

Click to expand...

1. Replace the seal. Disconnect the brake linkage. The seal comes out and goes back in from the outside.

2. You have a transmission linkage problem.

3. As you indicated, change your transmission filter and fill the transmission to the full mark on the dipstick first. Hills and low fluid levels don't make for a good relationship.

I got the brake seal in the mail today. As you said, disconnect the linkage, remove old seal, and then insert new seal. Is there any tricks I need to know other than the obvious? The new seal just slides into place, do I need to clean it real good before I insert it? Is there any type of seal adhesive that I need to use?

This will be a first for me, so I'm just asking questions beforehand to try and avoid any problems.

(quoted from post at 12:45:53 09/10/14)
I got the brake seal in the mail today. As you said, disconnect the linkage, remove old seal, and then insert new seal. Is there any tricks I need to know other than the obvious? The new seal just slides into place, do I need to clean it real good before I insert it? Is there any type of seal adhesive that I need to use?

This will be a first for me, so I'm just asking questions beforehand to try and avoid any problems.

Click to expand...

I don't recall using a sealer but a very very small amount wouldn't hurt. You don't want any getting inside. The seal won't slide into place. You'll have to tap it in. When you get the linkage apart and there's just the brake rod sticking out of the axle housing you can slip the seal over the brake rod and see what you're up against. You'll need to rig up a seal driver. Sorry I'm not more help. Its been a long time since I've done one.

You don't use any sealer on the backer. It's a press fit into the housing. What you will need is a piece of pipe about the diameter of the steel backer that you can slide over the brake rod to drift the damn thing home. It takes a fair push to get in place. Also... I normally remove the spring from the boot before I attempt to slide it in place. You want to slide that all the way up the brake shaft until it drops over the last land, then reinstall the spring. Be careful to not tear the boot. Can happen easily..

Rod

The brake rod seal replacement is probably the easiest repair on the tractor. Take your time and be sure the small circular tension spring that is around the small end of the seal lays properly. I changed out a seal on a 6610 that leaked due to that small part of the boot being rolled over on one edge of it. No sealer necessary.
These machines are very heavy and going up a grade will put a load on the engine. My 550 with ROPS weighs in over 13000 lbs.

Thanks for all the help guys. It took me about an hour this afternoon to change out the old seal with a new one. Everything looks good and nothing is dripping which is much improvement over what was there originally. The old one was dry rotted and had several small holes. Thanks!