JD 50 Tractor, Rear Axle Seal

Jim R · Feb 16, 2018

I have a 1956 John Deere model 50 tractor with a rear axle seal that's slobbering oil on my rim. I see by the parts book, that there is an inside retainer, then a felt washer and an outer retainer. Can anyone out there tell me exactly what to replace? Do I need to replace both the retainers too or can I just get by with replacing the felt washers if the retainers don't look bad. I've never done this repair before. Thanks for any advise!

Kent Petersen · Feb 16, 2018

There is an axle seal behind the bull gear that you need to replace the outer felt is just a dirt seal

PJH · Feb 16, 2018

I just put new rear axle seals in my 50 today. Both of my retainers came out with the axle. The service manual shows using a chisel to remove them, but that is only if you're replacing the dust felts and not pulling the axles (I think). The seals on mine were totally shot, along with two bearings and races. Also the thrust washers were missing or worn to nothing. After pulling the axles, you can pop the old seals out from the wheel end with a long bar. In your parts manual, page 40-10, the seal you'll need to change is number 20.

sunsettractor · Feb 16, 2018

On my 48 B there is a grease zerk on the end of the axle housing, it feeds the cavity where the felt gaskets are between the inner and outer retainers. Every couple of years oil will start to drip on the wheels, a couple of pumps of some hi quality grease, and a short drive , and the leak stops. Looking at the 50 series parts manual, it looks a lot like the B. I was ready at one point to dive into replacing the felts, but if a few pumps of grease every so often keeps the axle dry, I'll keep doing that till it gets worse...Tom

JD 50 Tractor, Rear Axle Seal

Jim R

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Kent Petersen

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PJH

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sunsettractor

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