555e Hub Seal

[cosmaar1]

Anyone ever change a hub seal on a 555e? Both of mine seem to be in bad shape as they leak oil down the backside of the front tire. It’s not terribly bad, but enough that I need to fix it soon.

I’ve looked over the manual and it seems to be straight forward, but wondered if anyone had any tips?

I also just realized the hubs take hydraulic oil for some reason. I’ve been putting gear oil in there. Whoops.

 

[NH575E]

No but mine started leaking today so if you go first let me know how it goes.

 

[cosmaar1]

No but mine started leaking today so if you go first let me know how it goes.

That sucks. Unless it starts pouring out I’m probably not replacing it until after August when the pond is done. I need the machine as much as possible between now and then.

 

[NH575E]

Looks like the hub seal can be replaced without removing the kingpins at least. Not so for the axle seal.

My right upper kingpin has slop in it but I removed the bolts and beat the snot out of it and couldn't get it to budge. Probably gonna take a blue tip wrench to get it out. I love the manual description for removing the upper and lower swivel pins. Shows the guy pulling them out by finger tip.

 

[Swetz]

Item #8


Item #9



Item number 8 is the seal

 

[cosmaar1]

Looks like the hub seal can be replaced without removing the kingpins at least. Not so for the axle seal.

My right upper kingpin has slop in it but I removed the bolts and beat the snot out of it and couldn't get it to budge. Probably gonna take a blue tip wrench to get it out. I love the manual description for removing the upper and lower swivel pins. Shows the guy pulling them out by finger tip.

I’m fairly certain just the hub seal is leaking, but I really hope it’s not from the axle side. I haven’t looked that close but probably should.

Item #8
View attachment 262502

Item #9
View attachment 262500


Item number 8 is the seal
View attachment 262501

thanks for the confirmation. I also thought it would be #8

 

[cosmaar1]

So after looking at the machine today I think I have one of each leaking. One side is a hub seal, the other an axle seal.

Stupid question here….. how is the axle fed oil? I searched all over and didn’t notice a port or plug anywhere. I didn’t have a flashlight bright enough to see way under. Thoughts?

 

[Swetz]

When you fill the front axle housing, lube is splashed around when in operation.

 

[cosmaar1]

When you fill the front axle housing, lube is splashed around when in operation.View attachment 262579

Thanks buddy!

 

[NH575E]

My hub stopped leaking and the oil level is okay. I was working in some vines and weeds so I'm thinking I just had a vine wrap up in it.

 

[cosmaar1]

My hub stopped leaking and the oil level is okay. I was working in some vines and weeds so I'm thinking I just had a vine wrap up in it.

Mine goes through those phases too. It will leak and leak but then it randomly stops. Probably because mine is always buried in mud

 

[cosmaar1]

Hey NH, did you ever replace your hub seal? My passenger side is leaking again and I'm thinking now is the time to change it, considering its sitting in my driveway at the moment.

 

[1998 555E]

I just did my axle housing axle seals and bushings. Hub seals, hub axle bushings, and hub axle seal. It was not that bad. Do you have a manual? If not I can upload pictures. The manual runs you through the process. The large hub seal that is like $80 was the easiest to get out. Once you get it apart you can easily get at the backside with a chisel. The other seals came out with the Harbor Freight slide hammer. The bushings in the hub came out with the right size seal/bearing driver tool. The bushing in the axle was hard. I had to grind down a screwdriver as sharp as a knife to get behind it. The bushings are split. Once you get the edges to overlap and the pressure is relieved you can get it with the slide hammer. My big issue at this point is how to set the wheel bearing preload. I started another thread about that. You will also have to set the preload after replacing the seal.

 

[NH575E]

Hey NH, did you ever replace your hub seal? My passenger side is leaking again and I'm thinking now is the time to change it, considering its sitting in my driveway at the moment.

Mine never started back leaking so no.

 

[1998 555E]

After you take your lug nuts off, there are two 5mm Allen head bolts that hold the planetary cover on. This is what the cover looks like off the machine. There is an o ring seal.

 

[1998 555E]

This is the hub side. The six bolts are what sets the preload on the wheel bearings. You remove the six bolts and use two of them in the empty holes. It acts like a gear puller and the ring gear and outer bearing / race comes apart.

 

[1998 555E]

There is a snap ring not shown in the pic and these two behind it. These should come out first, my posts are out of order.

 

[1998 555E]

This is under the ring gear plate, you can see the outer wheel bearing.

 

[1998 555E]

Gently pry from behind and the outer wheel bearing will come off with the hub

 

[1998 555E]

Another view