Another stering clutch question?

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

I have a late 440 and the left clutch is slipping.Tractor has been sitting out side for awille.I looked in side the openings and every thing looks dry but there is no free play between throw out barring and pressure plate and I canot get any adjustment.Im thinking that the clutch disks are swelled up from moisture.Do you think if I run it that they will dry out from the heat of friction?

[JimAnderson]

Hello,
I don't think you will generate much heat unless the clutch slips
some, like in a turn to the side that you are refering to.JMHO,
Luck JimAnderson

[akjayjay]

I don't think u have problem with the discs swelling, usually that would cause to stick on not slip. Sounds like u are out of adj or oil has gotten on them. Also pressure plate could be weak or out of adjustment. jason

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

This will be my 4th clutch repair and I have a good understanding on how they work.I just want an idea of what might be wrong.It acts like someone tnstalled an extra facing in the clutch pack because the cam is barried into the quill I half to pull the steering lever back to get a socket onto the carrier lock screw and thair is on freeplay in thair at all.
Thanks for all your info Ron

[Lavoy]

If the cam is all the way in towards the crawler and you have no freeplay, your clutch is shot. If the discs swell it crushes the fingers down, and you would not be able to move the throwout bearing far enough out.
Lavoy

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

Your right thair oil soaked.I dident think that they would swell up that mouch?Who ever worked on it last coatted the shaft with heavy grease and I think it leached into the clutch pack.The sleeve that the cam slides on dose not fit tightly in quill. how tight should it be?

[Lavoy]

The oil is most likely from the pinion shaft on the final drive, but could also be from the carrier seal in the rear end.
The throwout is a press fit, has to be driven into the carrier quill.
Oil does not cause them to swell, only water does that. Oil does cause them to slip though, and can not be successfully removed. You will need to pull the final, find out the source of the oil, and repair that problem first. Then look at new discs and whatever else you find in there.
Lavoy

[akjayjay]

I have had some luck drying out oil soaked disks with a little brake clean and an oven. If they are not to bad you can clean them off good with the brake clean and then put them in an old oven and leave the door cracked and just keep checking them, it will dry them out to a degree. well if Ur a poor hillbilly like me its worth a try. Jason

[Dave T]

I've had good luck cleaning my clutch plates and other such things with MEK [methel ethel cloride], it's a paint thinner. It's nasty stuff so have plenty of ventilation and it will eat up some rubber gloves, But it does a good job on oils. I soaked my discs in it for a couple of days then air dryed them for a couple of more. If it doesn't work the way you would like you can always put new ones in. It's all for fun anyway, and if it's not then you should probably consider a newer dozer.

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

Well I got new fiber and steal from Levoy. My brake bands are like new so i tried to use brake clean on them they still look like there is oil in the material.I want to try the oven trick but what temp should I use and will it smell up the house?
Thanks Ron

[Pammark]

MEK is Methyl Ethyl Ketone. It is a nice organic solvent, but wear gloves. It does absorb through the skin and will effect your liver.

Good ventiliation is advised too.

Mark

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

Ware do you get MEK?