350b brake band hanging up

[Jrjenner]

So I had new steering clutches and brake band put in the left side of my 350 B. Right side was fine and was replaced earlier. Seems to work great until it heats up and then the brake band is sticking. You can actually smell the break band. Causes some very loud squeaking noises and actually bogs the motor. Initially we thought the brake band was just too tight so we loosened it. That didn’t seem to help. Any ideas? Thanks John

[zebqup]

Just a stab in the dark but did any oil, grease or water from rainfall get spilled on the brake band when it was being installed? Since asbestos was outlawed the replacement material has been pretty wimpy. I have had limited success with a Milwaukee remote camera checking the brake bands for ware and contamination. If all clear in there I would try to burn them in and see if it clears up. Note: I am a beginner at this

[gregjo1948]

Do you know that your adjusting actually did any adjusting?

[Jrjenner]

I’m quite certain that it did. Initially we adjusted it when it was hot and sticking and after we adjusted it we did a small test run and it seem to work OK.

[gregjo1948]

Does this 350B have power steering? If so, it might be your problem. Does the machine work as it should after it sets and cools for a while?

[LeonardL]

So first question for me is, did you use an aftermarket brake band? If so then they are notorious for being either too thick at the linings and or out of round on the steel band itself. This has caused more issues on adjustments and hang up issues than anything else. If you are sure your adjustments are correct and that your linkages are all working freely inside the clutch housing, then I would suspect this is your issue. Here again is a case where you may have to adjust it by "Feel" rather than by the book. And I hate saying you should do this. But as Lavoy has pointed out in several other posts, given the age and wear that these older machines have on them, a person just has to adjust things so they work. Just remember, clutch first and brake second.

Other things to look for is your foot brake mechanism. Make sure it is working freely as well. I have had them be binding either at where they pivot at the pedal or the linkage is binding up somewhere. This will cause your bands to be grabby or binding after the machine is ran for a while. And yes, sometimes it will even be just one side that is the issue.

There is also the brake anchor stud that the brake band anchors to. This stud reaches through the front of the clutch housing and is secured with a large nut and lock washer. They can work loose or even break off and cause your brake to do what yours is doing. They are hard to see and even harder to get to. But you should be able to look down in front of the housing and see a large nut. I don't remember the size but it is large enough to be obvious.

The only way your power steering would effect it is if one of the cylinders is hanging in the out or actuated position. I have never seen this be an issue with what you're describing. I'm not real sure it would even be possible. Those things either work or they don't.

Personally, I think you have a brake band with issues or a linkage binding up in the actuated position and holding the band too tight. I would check all the linkages and if they are free then back your brake band adjustment off and run it for a while to see what happens. After it has run in for a while perhaps try your adjustments again.

I hope this helps a bit and good luck.

[gregjo1948]

Leonardt-- I didn't mean to imply that the power steering was applying the brake. I meant that , as you stated, there might be a linkage binding or adjustment issue that the power steering could be holding the brake in an actuated position.

[LeonardL]

Okay... Good point about the linkages. They do have a lot of pivot points that could bind up. So point taken. I hope you didn't think I was being a smart ass or anything. That certainly was not my intention. Sometimes I don't always get written down what I'm thinking and it comes off wrong.

[Jrjenner]

Actually had the brake band resurfaced. Not sure on where my mechanic obtained the clutch discs

[gregjo1948]

Okay... Good point about the linkages. They do have a lot of pivot points that could bind up. So point taken. I hope you didn't think I was being a smart ass or anything. That certainly was not my intention. Sometimes I don't always get written down what I'm thinking and it comes off wrong.

Nope! Didn't think you were being a smart ass or a dumb ass either.

[LeonardL]

The dumb ass part comes natural I'm afraid!! One thing that I can't deny for sure!! Just ask my wife!!

[LeonardL]

Actually had the brake band resurfaced. Not sure on where my mechanic obtained the clutch discs

Usually a resurfaced band is better than an aftermarket when it comes to being shaped like it should be. That is assuming your bands were okay when you removed them. If your bands were okay from the start then usually they will make sure to keep them that way. I have seen them get the linings too thick however. Usually with a too thick lining you will have issues getting the the brake drum past the brake band when reinstalling the final drive. Since you have this thing together I'm thinking linkage is hanging up somewhere.