Before I service my newly acquired 60's D4D, I've been busy tracking down a few leaks and making an effort to fix them. I have a slow leak coming from one of my final drives and I was wondering if I should delve into it or as my friend suggested,"Just live with it." I should mention that I don't have the equipment to remove the track. 

The removal of the rock guards and covers is tempting but perhaps I'll have to be content with keeping an eye on the fluid levels. BTW: It looks like the Nat'l Pike steam show is still going forward this weekend although I'm not so sure if the weather will cooperate.

Hi Team,
maybe a check the final drive oil for metal and if it is OK then check the final drive sprocket hub bearings for loss of pre-load and then adjust the final drive bearings if needed, this could help overcome some of the leak.
At least you will know the bearings are adjusted for future use.
The procedure is outlined in the grey Operation and Maintenance Instructions book, as you have not given us a S/No I will add that my 78A1-up D4D book is Form No is 34887, Dated 3/63. Other D4D S/No's should be the same procedure.
Sans below from my 78A D4D OMI book.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Eddie,
Thanks for the info and the attachments. When I bought my tractor SN 78A2926 last year I went ahead and ordered the manuals from Jensales at about the same time. I'm not sure if they have the info that you provided me but I'll take a look. When I drain the finals I'll be sure to look for the wear metals( I believe the drain plugs are magnetic).
-Rick

The manual you really need is the Operation And Maintenance Instructions book for your D4D. This book will save you time and money.
I perfer the original Caterpillar manuals, they are often available on Ebay just keep checking.
Many people think a Parts Book and a Service Manual are enough but the O.M.I. is necessry too.
Craig

The Jensales manuals that I have are:1.) Operator's manual, 2.) Service manual and 3.) Parts manual. I'll keep an eye out for the O.M.I. that you mentioned. Thanks.

what are members' thoughts on a "stop leak" additive? I've had good success with them on old hydraulics and was thinking of trying it on my leaky D6 final.

I have used Lucas products in some wheel end applications. That stuff actually works. I also tried it on a Be-Ge system with very old cylinders; I was doubful at first, but it works.
I have witnessed some using heavier track lube in the finals, it seemed "not right" to me, but again, it worked, and for an old tractor that hardly got used, it did the trick. JM

be careful with many stopleak additives they are only a band-aid solution and can make things worse. many stop leaks actually attack seals and that only works for a little while.

really all moreys and lucas oil stabilisers do is add a tackifier agent to the oil and thicken it slightly. now on stuff thats worn that often slows leaks and quietens moving parts like gears.
a old trick with slasher gear boxes and angle drive boxes on pumps and travelling irrigators is to use semi fluid grease or make a mixture of grease and oil.

a trick i was told with the finals on cat machines is to make sure the bearings are properly adjusted and that can slow or take up the leak. there are methods to rejuvenate the bellows seals cat actually published data sheets on how to do this.