[westofb]

Thanks for the comments guys!

This morning I had a chance to work on the new "129" (was getting burned out sanding and painting parts on the 149). I decided I need to start on the rear end, get out the broken bolts in the left axle tube, where it bolts to the frame. I dropped the rear cover, removed the rear wheels, disk brake calipers, and pulled the axle out. I then removed the remaing bolts from the axle tube and got it off the tractor. After putting up a fight, I was able to get the remains (broken off just below the surface of the rear diff) of the bolts out. Removing the axle tube destroyed the gasket that seals it to the diff, I did not want to wait on parts, so I cut a new gasket out of a sheet of cork gasket material I had on hand. Since i had the cork out, i went ahead and made a gasket for the rear cover and one to replace the seal between the pump and diff. I am thinking it would be okay to go this route, the axle tube gasket's purpose is to keep the fluid in and the elements out, anyone see me running into any problems going this route?

I knew the right side axle tube axle seal was bad, inside of that wheel is covered in hytran and dirt, turns out the right side one was leaking too, but not nearly as badly. I called it a day, went to the auto parts store and ordered the axle seals, hytran replacement, and new filter. This stuff will be in tomorrow, if I get the chance I will put the seals in, brakes and wheels back on, and then split the tractor to replace the seal between the pump and diff, give it a good power washing, and deal with the trunion repairs.

I am just trying to get this one repaired for now to use it, so trying to get stuff fixed as quickly as I can. This brings up another question, has anyone ever split their tractors without removing the rear fenders/ seat pan. I think I am going to try to go this route, would save me some time not removing those items.

Sorry for not posting pics, was in a bit of a hurry to get done!