steering clutches

Post by **Lavoy** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:28 am

Metallics are real spendy, I have probably never sold a set. If you are in terribly high moisture area, there is some theory that the metallics won't stick like a fiber. My 350 spends all it's time in the shed, it has metallics, and one or the other is stuck every time I take it out. The one thing they will not do is "grow" like a fiber disc, but if they stick solid, you are still pulling a final, so not much difference. They also steer a little harder, not that noticeable with power steering, but something to think of.
Lavoy

lp14255 · Post by **lp14255** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:05 pm

ok thanks for that info, the metallic clutch pads are alot more money. again thanks for the help this site is a great source of info.

Post by **Lavoy** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:16 am

Yes, I think they are double at the cheapest, that is why I only stock the fiber discs.
Lavoy

pop pop · Post by **pop pop** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:49 am

quick question on the same subject,, are the metallic discs steel or what?

Post by **Lavoy** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:45 am

They are a steel plate with a metallic material bonded to them, kind of bronze in color, but no idea of the makeup.
Lavoy

drf1232000 · Post by **drf1232000** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:24 am

I have a older JD 350. The steering wasn't working right so now it's all apart and ready to install new steering clutches on both side. When we pulled the old clutches out there was a mix of both steel and fiber. Does this seem right? All the new steering clutch kits, the disk are one or the other. I was planning on using fiber disks to save a few dollars. But this has turned into a pretty big job and I want whats going to last the longest and work the best.

drf1232000 · Post by **drf1232000** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:39 am

Lavoy, is it only moisture and or oil that make the fiber disks swell? If they do or when they swell, are you able to adjust the clutches or just replace them again?
I had a little oil on the clutches when I pulled them out but no pooling of oil in the clutch housing. I hope to get years of service out of the steering clutches when it's all back together.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:55 am

drf1232000 wrote:I have a older JD 350. The steering wasn't working right so now it's all apart and ready to install new steering clutches on both side. When we pulled the old clutches out there was a mix of both steel and fiber. Does this seem right? All the new steering clutch kits, the disk are one or the other. I was planning on using fiber disks to save a few dollars. But this has turned into a pretty big job and I want whats going to last the longest and work the best.

Hi,

The fibers and steels are interlaced. The shaft drives the fibers which transmit power to the steels which then drive the drum and out to the sprockets.

Usually, the fibers wear much more quickly than the steels, which makes sense. So, one can replace just the fibers and re-use the steels provided that the steels are not also in need of replacement due to wear or damage.

So, the fiber and steel discs are sold in separate packs as a result.

Later!

Stan

Post by **Lavoy** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 6:46 pm

Moisture makes them swell, oil makes them slip. Usually when they swell, they go so far they crush the pressure plate right down to nothing, no way to reuse them.
Lavoy

drf1232000 · Post by **drf1232000** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:17 am

I'm not really sure where the oil came from, But being it's all apart now I'm going to put all new oil seals on the shafts and use a good amount of RTV on the top plates. I have only had the 350 for 6 months now it's has 4200 hours on it and run great some wear on the bucket. The lower part is about 85% and it has a hell of a winch on it.

drf1232000 · Post by **drf1232000** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 6:01 am

Stan Disbrow wrote:
drf1232000 wrote:I have a older JD 350. The steering wasn't working right so now it's all apart and ready to install new steering clutches on both side. When we pulled the old clutches out there was a mix of both steel and fiber. Does this seem right? All the new steering clutch kits, the disk are one or the other. I was planning on using fiber disks to save a few dollars. But this has turned into a pretty big job and I want whats going to last the longest and work the best.
Hi,

The fibers and steels are interlaced. The shaft drives the fibers which transmit power to the steels which then drive the drum and out to the sprockets.

Usually, the fibers wear much more quickly than the steels, which makes sense. So, one can replace just the fibers and re-use the steels provided that the steels are not also in need of replacement due to wear or damage.

So, the fiber and steel discs are sold in separate packs as a result.

Later!

Stan

Stan Thanks for your help.. What I have found is that there were 2 types of steel plates and the fiber . some of the steel plates have some kind of coating on them. and are thicker. I do have one other question.. The brake drums have a pretty good grove in them were the brake band rides I would say about just under a 1/16 of an inch should they be recut? If it was on my truck I would.

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:54 am

I cut the drums in my 350, so yes it can be done. If yours are real bad and you start to run out of adjustment, the bands can be relined with thicker material.
Lavoy

CELSESSER · Post by **CELSESSER** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:10 am

Dwight,
To make sure that you understand the clutch disk differences, You always use a set of smooth steel disks interlaced with either Fiber disks or the special coated steel disks.
Think of the special coated steel disks as a fiber disk that lasts longer and doesn't absord water or oil (although I would think oil would make them ineffective also).
Make sure you understand the proper order to put the disks in and how many of each. Pay close attention to pressure plate adjustment as well as the clutch and brake adjustments after reassembly. Your service manual will be your friend. If something you read there isn't very clear to you ask questions.

Good luck,

Chuck

drf1232000 · Post by **drf1232000** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:46 am

I think that might have been some but not all the trouble. When I took it apart I found both kinds of steel disks and fibers. That just didn't look right to me. Good news is my service manual jsut came in the mail yesterday. I'm like a kid in a candy store now, lots of info in there.

Merry Christmas to you all

dirtguy34 · Post by **dirtguy34** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:51 am

One other thing your going to want to check is if the steering cylinders mounted to your hand levers and on top of the case, are leaking? On mine I rebuilt both sides, with parts from Lavoy, All new inner seals, I left the bot plugs out, too get air back into the cases and after time I had oil coming out again. After tearing down again, we discovered the oil was coming from the steering cylinders{which we could see were leaking real bad, but didn't think nothing of it} and it was leaking down and thru the seams of the cases, and getting back to the inside steering cases. Just thought I'd throw that at ya. Dave

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