Final drives

Live with it for sure. Unless you have the time, money, and/or correct service equipment, opening it up could be a can of worms. On the bright side, you'll stop the rust in the leak area! : )

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.

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

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.