''39 9N Brake Job

The other day I adjusted my brakes and the RH side has no adjustment left so it's time to do a brake job. This will be my first brake job on this tractor. I've done plenty of drum brake jobs on cars in the past so this looks pretty straight forward but what I'm wondering is should I do the rear axle seals while I'm in there? I don't see any major leaking but there is some wetness around the edge of the brake drums on each side.

Replacing seals on a 9N is a headache. Look into Sure Seals.

(quoted from post at 11:57:40 08/11/20) ....... should I do the rear axle seals while I'm in there?

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Yes

I don't see any major leaking but there is some wetness around the edge of the brake drums on each side.

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That's leakage. Starts slow. Will eventually ruin new pads.

(quoted from post at 12:06:04 08/11/20) Replacing seals on a 9N is a headache. Look into Sure Seals.

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It's not the easiest

I've done a couple of dozen of this type of seal / rear axles over the years. The best results are from replacing the original seals, greasing up the bearings AND adding Sure Seals.

Sometimes getting the bearing retainer off is tough. First you cut the retaining collar off. Then pull / press the retainer off (the pressed on bearing can be real tight). Had one I could not press off. Got to scary on a large air over hydraulic press. Ended up dissecting those bearings.

But removing the collar and retainer allows one to check the bearings, replace the outer seal, and grease up the bearings well. Then add Sure Seals for the added protection.

The Sure Seals sometimes are tricky to get started so take your time, taper the edge of the Sure Seal metal, and get a long piece of pipe or PVC to tap the seal in over the axle. Clean up the surface of the axle where the seal will ride, first.

Here's a couple of pics of a 9N setup where someone originally installed Sure Seals. Unfortuately both those and the outer seals leaked and had to be replaced.

Thanks, I don't have a press so if it needs outer seals I'd have to take it somewhere. When I open this up will it be easy to tell if the outer seals are leaking?

You would be a fool not to replace the outer seals SS are not... All that work then be a fool replace the outer seals life will be good...