How much work am I looking at?

[redmosquito1 2]

So, I knew my tractor had a transaxle leak when I bought it but since I got it pretty cheap I was ok with it. I was looking around tonight and it seems to be worse that I thought, I checked the oil and it was at proper levels but it looks like coffee and 3 creams. I'm not sure if that is water in the oil or the proper color for gear oil.

Either way their is a bunch of thick oil on the transaxle case that I plan to clean off in hopes the previous owner already fixed the leak and just never cleaned it up (yeah right)

So how much work am I looking at to tear down the transaxle and replace all the gaskets and oil seals to keep it from leaking more?

Should mention it is on either a C120 or B100, and going off the date on the engine from 1976. It has a sticker on the back that says Uni-Drive 92-8749 and is an 8 speed.

Thanks

Tom

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,351]

There are many posts here in the search on rebuilding 8 speed rear ends. You may find it is a simple axle seal which does not require a teardown. if you do need to rebuild it is not all that difficult. In terms of the oil sounds to me like water mixed in. I would first drain it all out, add kerosine and flush is well. Check when full of kero to see if there are any leaks. Water in the rear end can cause cracks in the housing if it freezes. I would purchase a new shifter boot on ebay for $6.00 plus shipping. Good luck!

[redmosquito1 2]

I keep searching for transaxle rebuild and do not get much, I'll try rear end rebuild.

My plan now is to use some engine degreaser and a pressure washer to clean it off, drain and flush and the refill and monitor it until mowing season ends to rebuild it. I don't want to tear into it and then have 3 foot tall grass, maybe I do though. Hmm, lol

[JackC 617]

Not sure you need to take it apart. It may be crud that has built up over the years.

It is easy to spill oil on the transaxle when adding oil through the filler tube.

I would clean it up and then keep an eye on it to see if and where it is leaking.

Axle seals leak and usually are not that hard to replace.

[whfan74 2,068]

Try tranny rebuild in your search as well.

[redmosquito1 2]

I found some very very good threads on this. Tranny rebuild is the key phrase.

I'm going to clean it tonigh, drain the fluid and flush then refill it and keep an eye on where it is leaking. I kinda think it is possible that it's coming from the brake shaft thing, which if that is the case is it possible to remove the brake drum and pull the seal out and replace with out having to split the case?

[racinfool40 202]

Yes. you can replace the seal behind the brake shaft without splittilng the trans..I have taken a small pich and a small screw driver and removed the old seal and install the new one..

Mike

[redmosquito1 2]

Well I looked closer at it today and found the leak to be from the brake seal. Only problem is my go to stores didn't have the seal and neither did the big box stores. So I will have to wait until tomorrow to order a new one and then wait to install it till next week since I'll be working all weekend. At least I found the leak and it is not from the axle shaft as I feared. From reading other posts it can be a bear to pull the hubs so I'm glad.

The old oil will be flushed out and new oil put in so that'll be nice peice of mind.