Replacing my axle seal hit a snag

[Rucan 5]

While I was taking my old seal off the axle.  After fighting with the hub and getting that off I can not get the key off the axle.  I have a 414-8 and I have seen videos from others online where that key comes off but mine wont come off for nothing. Also this is the only axle seal I was able to get out.  I thought there was more.  Does the axle key on this model not come off??

[ri702bill 9,533]

OK - 4 possible solutions - all need to use a decent penetrant like PB or Kroil. The OE woodruff key is circular in shape with a flat in the center on the bottom. More on that later.

With the key pointing up at the 12 o'clock position - as shown, spray the small gaps ate the end of the key & keyseat. That allows the juice to migrate in.....

 

1. You can try a 2 or 3 inch C clamp bearing down near the inboard end of the key to "rock" the other end up. then grab it with sidecutter pliers laying flat on the axle and pry it up. Or tap it up with a chisel & small hammer.

2. Some folks go right to the sidecutters without the clamp.

3. the key is soft and can be drilled & tapped. Tap a #8-32 hole in the middle thru, out the flat. insert a good grade screw and jack it out.

4. My favorite. Got a good pair of vise grips and an autobody slide hammer?? Marry the two together with a short length of threaded rod & a machined coupler.

Works great and will pull twisted nails too.... had it for 45 plus years, never fails.

You will damage the key in the removal process - get a new one.

 

 

Edited August 8 by ri702bill

[midpack 1,011]

What a great idea, vice grips on s slide hammer!

 

[oliver2-44 10,781]

Bill has most of the methods covered.  

If you can't get it out with those methods, I've take a Dremel with a cut off wheel and cut the key in half longwise.

Then the two thin sides can be collapsed  together.  Use care not to cut into the axle. 

I just did one this way, but didn't take any pictures.

I love the vise grip/slide hammer idea!

Edited August 8 by oliver2-44

[ri702bill 9,533]

Thanks... 45 years ago I was a Machine Tool Assembler. We each made up one to remove various sizes of pull dowels and tapered pins. The Vise Grip idea was not my own, but that of our more seasoned Supervisor. Used to remove square keys in shafts and electric motors.

[Randy S 0]

Hello,,, I need some help!  I am a brand new member and don't know my way around this site.  I bought my brand new 312-8 Wheel Horse tractor in 1985 (serial # 14371, model / VIN 2112K801).  It has been a work horse for me ever since.  I still use it to cut grass and haul a dump bed trailer around the yard, but I have used it to plow snow, plow gravel, plow dirt, pull a one bottom plow, and pull a flat bed trailer out of the back yard with 2000lbs of concrete on it.  This tractor has been unbelievable!!!  I am in need of replacing the transaxle seals.  How in the world do I find the seals that I need and where in the world would I find a repair person to do the job?  I am pretty handy, but don't trust myself with replacing the seals.  I live in Raleigh, NC if anyone has a repairman they can recommend, I would be grateful.  

 

Thank you, 

Randy S

[rmaynard 16,372]

Welcome Randy. You can get seals at a Napa auto parts store or from one of our vendors. Removing the hubs will be the most difficult part, but with even minimal skills you can be successful. Just search hub removal. As far as part numbers for the seals, there is a chart pinned to the beginning of the Transmissions section.