Leaking transmission fluid

[Rodney Landrum]

I decided to change all fluids in my 1961 “original” cub cadet plus gaskets and per instructions filled it with 3 1/2 quarts of SAE 30 oil. After doing so it leaked out approximately 3/4 of a quart from the underneath from a small hole that is pictured below. After I opened up the small plug used for checking the correct level it stopped leaking. Is that normal and should there be a plug in that hole. From looking at the back it is on the left side. The first two pictures are of the hole looking from underneath and the third picture is the small level

plug I referred to above. Please advise and thank you for your assistance.

 

[mgonitzke]

If oil is coming out of that hole in the bottom of the axle tube, the axle seal is bad.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Thanks so much. Is there a threaded plug that goes in it and that seals it?

 

[mgonitzke]

No, the hole is so oil that leaks out of a leaky seal can drain out to inform you of the need to replace the seal.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Thanks so much. This is my 1st cub cadet and Im a novice at repairs. Is this an easy seal to replace and is there a manual out there online I can reference? Any help is much appreciated.

 

[mgonitzke]

I put the link to the service manual in your other thread. It is not terribly difficult to do.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Thanks. Should I replace seals on both left and right side or just the left?

Thanks again.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Also, who do recommend buying from?

Thank you.

 

[mgonitzke]

I would do both. They are both approaching 60 years old. If you don't do both, you'll be tearing into it again. Googling that part number will lead you to a variety of sources, or if you have a local bearing supplier, they should be able to cross it to a National or Chicago Rawhide seal, given the old one to measure.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Thanks for all the advise and assistance. Time to go to work on it!

 

[Rodney Landrum]

By the way, I see you are from Wichita. I’m your neighbor over in Parsons!

 

[Bob Strong]

I just took an old seal to the local parts guy and he matched it easily. I installed the seals about 15 years ago, and they're still going strong.

 

[Rodney Landrum]

Thank you. I’m going to do both.