Leaking bad from final drive…need help

[Ephillips2582]

Hi y’all, I’ve got a 184 that has begun leaking bad from the final drive. I’d say a 2’ x 2’ spot in the matter of two days. I’m not educated enough to tell you exactly where it is leaking by name. But it’s dripping directly in the center of the final, and towards the front. It looks like there are two gaskets? Each appear to be leaking. I attempted to attach photos, but was told they were to large. Both by adding from my photos and by taking the photo. No luck either way. I’ve had no leak spots on my garage floor, so never climb under it to look. Apparently it’s been leaking a long while, but never left spots. Weird, I know.

My issue is, I’m confident I can do the repairs/replacements, but I just don’t know the procedure. Where do I start? What order does it need to be done in? What time frame can I expect? What parts will I need? What parts should I also replace while I’m at it?

This is my first lo-boy. I’ve had it about a year. Mows great. And it’s my only mower. Have a 2 acre yard. I reeeaaaalllly don’t want to push mow it again. 7 miles of walking! So need it fixed stat!

Thanks y’all!

-Evan

[Gary Dotson]

By the term “final drive” we are generally referring to the gear case at each rear wheel. When say “center of the final drive” it leads me to think you are actually referring to the transmission/ differential. If you get under there and look, you’ll see a 1/2” pipe nipple that is screwed into the bottom of the housing, facing the front of the tractor. It has the hydraulic suction hose attached to it. I’ve seen more than 1 of those nipples crack and the leak is exactly as you have described. It’s simple hardware store item and the worst part of the job is the you have to drain and refill the system. It drains at that nipple. This is a good time to replace the fluid and filter.

[Ephillips2582]

Thanks. I’ll crawl under it hopefully this week and see what you’re talking about. I’m gone for work 12 hours a day mon-fri. I’ve got the service manual. And looking at the diagram for the transmission, could it be leaking from the countershaft nut? Shaft oil seal?

Could you post a picture of the 1/2” pipe nipple? I’ve got a pipe coming from the left side of the tractor (if you’re sitting on it) then 90ing and running to the back? This is strictly based off the pictures I took. I didn’t take a picture of where that pipe comes from or goes to though. I’ll look at then when I can climb under it again.

Thanks for the info so far!

[Gary Dotson]

No, I have no pic. of it but it’s a simple pipe nipple, about 6” long. I’d be surprised if those other locations would leak so much so suddenly.

[Eugene]

Parts manual, free down load, upper left Quick Links, them the manuals section.

Parts manual will show where each individual part goes.

[outdoors4evr]

Most likely, the transmission is overfilled and the oil is flowing out of the brake holes. The oil travels down the transmission or final drive case till it finds a low point, then drips off.
Over time, water accumulates in the transmission due to condensation or time spent outside in the weather.
I would start by draining the transmission and each final drive and refilling with the right amount of clean fresh Hytran oil.

[Ephillips2582]

Update. I crawled underneath, cleaned the bottom of the transmission as well as the 1/2” pipe. After a day of sitting post cleaning, it is still dripping from two areas, maybe an inch apart, that appear to be seals or gaskets, towards the front of the transmission. This is above the 1/2” pipe. I do have a 3 point as well as creeper gear. I believe it’s the gasket between the creeper and the transmission?

Side note, anyone know where the drain plug is for the transmission? It is not directly underneath on that 3” smooth spot, which was suggested on another post.

Thanks for the help so far!

[Gary Dotson]

That pipe nipple I mentioned is your trans drain.

[Ephillips2582]

Great! Thanks. I’ve spoken to others that had an actual drain nipple on the very bottom, pointing downwards, on that 3” flat spot