dpb wrote:
Mini-FWD on utility tractor began leak around seal; on teardown observed
that apparently problem was exacerbated by a wad of grass/weed/other
material wrapped around the hub that caused wear on the hub as well as
tearing up the seal.

New hub $300; machine work estimated at probably 2/3-rds that got me
wondering. The wear is small valley at location of seal not terribly
deep; what would be possibility of something like a layer of JB Weld
filed down holding up to lengthen the time before a new seal fails? Or
another suggestion? I don't have lathe nor access nor any good buddies
w/ facilities here; the only alternative is the commercial shops so that
option is out. (In TN, there were any number of retired machinists
and/or one-man shops but just not enough population base out here for
that...)

For the time being I just reassembled as is and it is holding but while
the new seal is relatively new and the gasket soft so likely reusable if
I had a plan I might try to revisit the scene...

--


Seal Saver sleeve. It's a THIN sleeve that gets pressed on to the worn
area and creates a new place for the seal to seat.

Second choice : Install a new seal BUT not to the same depth. Again this
allows a new seal surface.

Third: Install a new seal but grind part of it away so it sets deeper
than the old seal.



--
Steve W.