TW15 NewHolland/Ford front axle woes.

I have repaired a dreaded oil leak on the steer axle hub assembly...( outer hub .) on 3 separate occasions.........on this Ford TW15 tractor...........replaced all the seals............only to find leaks yet again........Beginning to wonder if I am missing something..............HELP !!!!

Jim- Welcome to YT! Now you have to understand I have no way of knowing what your level of
mechanical knowledge/experience is, so please take no offense to any of my reply. I am not
familiar with that model or that particular repair, but here are a few items I would suggest toward
having a successful leak free seal replacement. Do you make sure there is no groove where the
old seal ran? Do you prep the seal running area with emery tape of at least 240 grit or finer? You
need some experience with seals to determine how much of a groove, pitting etc. is okay before
the seal running surface needs either a speed-i sleeve or built up and remachined back to a
damage free surface. Do you install the seal with a driver or the like that leaves the seal
undamaged (not bent) and square in its bore? If the seal has a spring do you pack the seal with
grease to prevent the spring from coming out of place while it is being driven in? Is the bore the
seal sets in smooth with no gouges? If not sealer needs applied to seal the outside of the seal.
Are the bearing/ bushing in good condition with wear tolerances that are all within spec? A seal
can't do it job if it is not being held within its centering tolerances. Do you grease the seal running
surface before assembly? If the seal is passing over a shaft or spindle during assembly, is that
area free of sharp edges that could damage the seal lip, it does not take much. Smoothing sharp/ rough areas the seal may pass over during assembly with emery tape the applying grease to these areas helps prevent seal lip damage. This is most but
not all of the items that are important for a successful leak free seal replacement. There is also a
"Ford" manufacturers discussion board on this site you might try posting this down there as well.
Hope this helps.

Which seal is leaking? The cassette or the lip seal on the shaft? I find the cassettes can be kept tight as long as the spindle isn't worn,
the hub isn't worn... and you clean it METICULOUSLY with soap/water or ether to strip all oil off of it, then lube the inner surface of the
seal with soapy water before installation unless there is another procedure outlined in the manual or service bulletin.
The lip seal on the shaft... I think you will find you'll replace the bronze bushing in both the axle and the hub if you ever want that
tight, set the shaft end play carefully... and also make sure the king pins are set to spec. You may need new bearings/bushing cups on them
depending if it has a ZF or Carraro axle.

Rod