Steering clutches for a 1949 JD MC crawler

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Wed Nov 02, 2016 9:41 am

Help. I am in the process of repairing my steering clutches and brake rings on my MC crawler. I have replaced the metal and fiber and brake bands. It seemed pretty simple until I reinstalled both sides back on the crawler. Now when i tighten both sides up 2nd gear grinds and will not work and when I torque both sides the left shaft stops turning when in gear like it is bound. When i Losen the left side bolting it will turn. I am at my wits end as I have had these back off and on now a number of times and cant seem to find a problem

Post by **Lavoy** » Wed Nov 02, 2016 2:26 pm

There is nothing you can do as far as steering clutches that would cause second gear to grind unless I am really missing something.
Lavoy

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Wed Nov 02, 2016 3:08 pm

Hi,

Any of the gears grinding would have to indicate that the main engine clutch or pilot bushing is dragging causing the input shaft of the transmission to keep turning when the main clutch pedal is depressed.

You do have to wait 2-3 seconds on any of these old machines before you try to engage a gear, though. You have to let the input shaft slow or they will grind a bit. Maybe you are just being too quick to move the gearshift?

Upon rereading....maybe you have a cracked trans case....only messes up when you have the weight of the final drives attached?

Stan

original possum · Post by **original possum** » Wed Nov 02, 2016 7:54 pm

Do you mean GRIND, as going from neutral to in-gear, or GROWL, as when in gear and trying to move?

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:10 am

Folks thanks for the input. I could have been a little clearer with my original post. I will try to answer your questions. My Crawler was running with no drive train issues except the brake issue. I originally was just going to repair the brake band. It would go into and operate in any gear. I made the repairs and while I was there I replaced the clutch pads. I reassembled everything and now the clutch works but if it is in second gear and you let out on the clutch it sounds like you are trying to put it in gear with the clutch out. Again if the bolts are all loose the drive shafts turn and all works well but as i tighten them up the left shaft stops turning. When the bolts are lose i can operate the clutch and brake and everything works as it should ?

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:31 am

Which bolts do you mean? If you are talking final drive case, you have something together wrong, take it back apart see what it is, I would not run it til you know for sure.
Lavoy

original possum · Post by **original possum** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 2:32 pm

If it only does it in second follow Lavoy's advice first, and then take off the transmission cover, hook a bent welding rod around each shaft and try to raise it. Sounds like a spun out bearing along with some serious resistance in the left final drive.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 2:41 pm

Hi,

Hmmmm. That makes sense. Two troubles. The new brake is binding and loading the transmission, and it has a bad bearing - which didn't show up earlier because it wasn't under a heavy load.

Stan

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 10:35 am

I have disassembled it again and verified that all components are stacked in correctly the only thing left could be the pressure plate adjustment. I believe that the spring clips on the pressure plate are rubbing. Again I get a grind from no gear enguagement when I put it in second gear and let out on the clutch. Is it possible that I have pushed everything to one side when I installed the other side

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:19 pm

I don't know if an MC is set up the same as a 420, and I don't know why this only happens in second, but when you reinstalled the clutch pack, did you use new bolts to hold in the clutch plate? If so, they may be rubbing on the final drive housing. I put my 420's pressure plate mounting bolts in with the heads facing the final housing and the nut ends inboard so that this wouldn't happen. Best wishes.

http://s460.photobucket.com/user/pbuhle ... l.jpg.html

dbc105 · Post by **dbc105** » Thu Nov 10, 2016 11:55 am

I've gone by and taken a look at his machine. It seems the outer edge of the throw out bearing is maybe hitting the the pressure plate fingers. Right now if the left side cover bolts are loose, 1/4" gap between cover and box, the trans will go into gear and the axles will drive. If those bolts are pulled up tight the left side will not pull at all as if the throw out bearing is pushing against the pressure plate fingers disengaging it. It also has to be getting really deep for the edge of the bearing to be getting shined up the way it is. We are missing something on this side and trying to get a little direction on it.

It think your assessment on 2nd gear is likely right. It grinds in 2nd gear and does not seem to matter about what is going on with the drive. We have not yet had the cover off to look inside the trans, trying to get the final drive worked out first. As to this bearing, if 2nd gear is just not used will that be ok? are there other gears on this same shaft?

DC

Post by **Lavoy** » Fri Nov 11, 2016 8:20 am

Did you adjust the steering clutch after installing the final? If the throwout bearing is hitting the fingers, it needs to be adjusted properly.
Lavoy

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:35 am

Lavoy
Do you happen to sell the C-clip for the shaft that comes out of the drive case to the axle. I believe it is part number 7 on the drawing. It keeps the gear from slipping out of the clutches

gregjo1948 · Post by **gregjo1948** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 4:19 am

Do you have the correct number of disc in the clutch pack?

Flip · Post by **Flip** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 6:22 am

I believe I do I have 6 fibers and 5 steel disc. I am missing the c-ring that holds the gear on the shaft. I removed the c-ring from the other side and installed it on the left. Reassembled the left housing and when I tightened it up the axle stopped turning

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Steering clutches for a 1949 JD MC crawler

Steering clutches for a 1949 JD MC crawler

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