350B steering clutch disc: fiber or metal?

[Duke350B]

Looking to make a steering clutch rebuild on my 350B. Looked up for parts. Did ask the JD dealer about disc parts. Told me they were made from metal? Is it the case? Anyone made that kind of job recently.

Also, looking to change the old pressure plate spring in the rebuild but no longer available. Anyone looked at it recently. Perhaps Lavoy?

Regards

[Lavoy]

There are definitely applications where the metallic discs are the ticket, but on the whole, I don't like them, they are very aggressive. I find that if you run less brake than recommended it helps. The other issue is cost, they are spendy. I stock the fibers, and can get the metallic, but haven't sold a set in years, so would have to do some digging.
No pressure plate parts available, but really, for $135 for a new one, is it worth it to fight with a used one?
Lavoy

[MattE]

I definitely agree with Lavoy that the bronze are more aggressive, but if something happens that you get water or oil in your housings you can clean it out with the bronze disks. With the fibers you'll be tearing the finals off again.

Example I got a 350 buried in a swamp with water up to the seat. Drained and flushed the finals, cleaned out the housings with solvent and she has been running fine for several years since. I would be afraid of what would have happened with the fiber disks. I also don't install the drain plugs in the bottom of the housings to let condensation out. (good or bad) wish John deere had a one way drain like some of the case machines did.

Either way buy your parts from Lavoy, I've heard horror stories about some of the fibers they are selling on ebay

[Tigerhaze]

Most of what you need to know has already been said, but this was another thread that discussed this issue in more detail (i.e. the bi-metallic discs):

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... t=metallic

[Duke350B]

Thanks a lot for your comments. Very helping!