If you have a Kubota mini excavator, like the KX121, then the time might come when you need to remove the cover plate from its Kayaba (KYB) brand final drive motor. The cover plates can be a nightmare to remove, especially in the field. In this Shop Talk Blog post, we will discuss how to do just that using everyday tools.
Here are a few other Shop Talk Blog posts you might be interested in:
Many Kubota final drives, including the Kubota KX121 final drives, are Kayaba (KYB) brand. Trying to get the cover plate off KYB final drives is a challenge in the best of situations, and if you’ve never worked with one before you may feel completely lost. Let’s get started, step by step.
Step #1: Grab Your Tools
You can see in the picture the kind of tools you'll need to get the cover plate off a KYB final drive. Add to that a flashlight and you should be ready to go.
Step #2: Remove the Drain Plugs
Once you have your tools in place, you need to remove the drain plugs. If the cover plate is rusty, then you should soak it in penetrating oil first. Dig out the dirt and debris from around the drain plugs and remove both of them. Don’t forget to put them where you can find them later!
Step #3: Finding the Wire
When you look at the side, you should find a set screw. Remove it. Inside the opening where you removed the set screw, there will be a metal wire. It goes around the cover plate and acts as an internal snap ring. You’ll need a flashlight to see it.
If you can’t find the wire, don’t worry. It’s there! What you’ll need to do is turn the cover plate until you can spot the wire. Find some bolts, fittings, or something similar to screw into the plug holes on the top of the final drive. Make sure they are screwed in tightly to the plug holes. Otherwise, they will break off. You will probably need to modify one of the bolts or fittings to allow a slide hammer to attach to it to take the cover plate off later on.
Now put a cheater bar or pipe between the bolts/fittings and slowly turn the cover plate while watching for the wire inside the set screw opening.
Step #4: Removing the Wire
Once you’ve spotted that pesky wire, you need to pick it out. You can do this with a pick or a flat-headed screwdriver. The goal is to have enough of the wire protruding out to grasp with a pair of pliers. This process can be a little tricky. You may have to tease some of the wire out, turn the cover plate slightly, and tease some more out until you have enough.
Once you have enough wire protruding, grasp it with a pair of pliers. Turn the cover plate as you pull on the wire -- essentially you are spinning that wire out.
Note that occasionally there are going to be four set pins along the outer hub. These are holding the cover plate in place and all need to be punched before you can rotate the cover plate to extract the wire.
Step #5: Pulling the Cover Plate Off
Once you have completely removed the wire, take your slide hammer and screw it all the way into the modified fitting we mentioned in Step #3. Get it as tight and snug as you can, then use the slide hammer to loosen the cover and pop it free of the final drive housing.
Conclusion
The Kayaba KYB cover plate, commonly found on Kubota machines, is tricky to remove and quite a bit more complicated than some other brands. It can, however, be done even if you aren't a final drive professional!
Texas Final Drive is your partner in providing new or remanufactured final drive hydraulic motors from a single mini-excavator to a fleet of heavy equipment. Call today so we can find the right final drive or hydraulic component for you, or check out our online store to find your O.E.M. manufacturer brand motor now.
