My D7E is leaking oil from the bevel gear case into the final drive on one side, I got the seal part number from my book and since I'm planning on changing the brake pads this winter I figured I'd change out the seals. Looks to be as easy as taking the nut off and pulling the driven flange off, as long as i can get a puller into the case, is there anything tricky I need to be aware of? While I have it apart is it a good idea to put new clutch discs in? Its working fine now but I don't know how old they are.

The final drives are leaking a little on the outside but that's a job for later, looks like a lot more work.

I can only guess as I have never been into your model tractor. But that procedure worked on a 9u D6. I only have a screw type puller, and don't remember having to beg or borrow something bigger, but it was over 20 years ago.


Steering clutches are measured by the thickness of the plates. Cat service books gives minimum height of the stack. Of course the condition of drive teeth also need to be looked at. Unless money is not a issue come back when it is apart. Take some measurement and then decide. Cost starts adding up fast with the number of plates in each clutch.

I'll measure them and see if I need new ones. The service manual shows the pinion removed and disassembled to replace the bearings and seal, but I think the seal looks easy enough to replace with it in the machine.

Please include the S/N of your D7E. Final drive gears aren't available anywhere for 160hp D7Es and getting scarce for the later model 180hp D7Es. I never had to replace brakes or steering clutch disks on wet deck tractors even on my machines with over 25,000 hours on them. I did have to replace bevel gear bearings when problems with the brakes and pinion seals occurred. 
Craig

48A1697

I don't think there is anything wrong with the gears, just leaking from the bevel gear case into the drive on one side. The brakes are OK but near the end of their adjustment.

I was in a hurry and typed gears, the part that is no longer available is the 5M5037 inner hub on 160 hp. tractors. This is the part which is usually worn and causes the finals to leak if tightening the sprocket adjustment  doesn't  eliminate the leak.  

Your 48A is the 160hp model. This is the proper procedure for adjusting the steering brakes. I hope this helps.
Craig 
 
 

My machine is leaking from the bevel gear housing into the final drive housing, enough to fill up the right hand final drive. That's the seal I need to change. Both of the outer seals leak but its fairly little, leaves a spot when its parked for a while.

I don't see anything in the service manual about tightening the sprocket adjustment, is it as simple as tighten it if its loose?

You need to become a paying member so you can access the ACMOC library. There is much D7E info there and more is being added. There is much important info in the Operation And Maintenance Instructions book that is not covered in the service manual. Unfortunately, the D7E book says if adjustment is needed contact your Caterpillar dealer. The proper procedure is in the D7F (same basic final drive) book. That's it just below the D7E book listed on the left in picture 1.
Craig