1969 john deere 450 crawler

[Garry]

New to the site, have searched thru it more then once. I have rebuilt the diesel eng, on my 450, also the under carrage. Still more to do, I don't have a tech manual, will purchase one when I can locate it. Untill then I have a rather dumb question. I have been told you can replace the steering clutches from the top of the machine. Is this true or do I have to do it thru the finals? If it wasn't for that stump and me being an idiot I wouldn't be asking this. Thanks in advance, Garry

[mini kahuna]

hopefully you didn't break something...you wouldn't be the first guy to rip the behind out of a dozer yanking around on a stump.

[jdemaris]

I have been told you can replace the steering clutches from the top of the machine. Is this true or do I have to do it thru the finals? If it wasn't for that stump and me being an idiot I wouldn't be asking this. Thanks in advance, Garry

Yes, you can replace from the top. You have to pull out the upper pinion shaft on the final drive first. You just remove the outside bearing quill, bolt a chain to the stubby shaft, and yank it out. The shaft has a threaded hole in it, just for this purpose.