40c steering clutch

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:11 pm

I installed a rebuilt pressure plate and all new disks in my 40c about 3 years ago. It started giving me trouble last fall. When I pulled on the steering lever it would almost stall the crawler as if the brake was coming on before the clutches disengaged. I started looking at it today. Took the inspection covers off and it appears that at least one of the clutch fingers has broken off or collapsed into the clutch. Can't really get a good look at it so I guess it's time to pull the final drive again. Is this something that happens? I forget where I bought the clutch parts. It was on line, maybe through eBay. At that time, I wasn't aware of this forum. Lavoy, if it turns out that I need another pressure plate, do you have them in stock and what is the price. It is a 4 roller 40c. Thanks.

Paul Buhler · Post by **Paul Buhler** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 7:39 pm

Can't really get a good look at it so I guess it's time to pull the final drive again.

As you already know, pulling the final is a time consuming, but not particularly difficult task, especially if you've done it before. Sounds to me like you've answered your own question. Been there, done that. I hope that your disassembly goes well. Paul

Post by **Lavoy** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 8:26 pm

Yes, in stock, $125.

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 6:39 am

Thanks guys. Lavoy, I'll contact you re parts after I get it apart.

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:28 am

OK. I removed the final drive this morning. No damage to the pressure plate, but I checked the adjustment of the clutch fingers and it appears that they are set too low. I used the adjustment tool when I installed the clutch a few years ago and have only clocked about 10 hours since. My plan at this time is to check the discs and make sure they are ok and then reset the clutch fingers using the tool. Is there anything else I should check or look for. If I remember correctly, the clutch pack that I installed was a little different from the originals, thinner/more discs but I am not sure. Does this make a difference in how the fingers are adjusted?

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 4:58 pm

Took the clutch pack apart this afternoon. For once my memory was correct. There are 7 fiber and 6 steel discs in the replacement kit. Originally there were 6 fiber and 5 steel disks. Apparently the replacement disks are not as thick so I assume I use all 7 and 6 of the new ones. The replacement fiber disks are quite a bit thinner. Just wanted confirmation before I put it all back together.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:12 pm

Hi,

Um, last I saw a Deere sourced set of parts, they came with one extra because that is for the JD350. The actual discs are the same for the older crawlers. You just use one less and go with the original count for the machine you are working on.

Third party parts, who knows.....

Stan

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:51 pm

Thanks Stan. What has me confused is that the new fiber discs are considerably thinner than the original ones. .164 vs .183-.193 (service manual specs). The steel discs are about .010 thinner than the originals. When I add it all up, 7 & 6 of the new ones total within a few thousandths of 6 & 5 of the originals. I would like to hear from someone who has installed one of these kits in a 40 to see how they handled it. Maybe Lavoy knows.

jtrichard · Post by **jtrichard** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:28 pm

What you need to look at is when assembled that there is still room in the cover/pressure plate for release and you can adjust the finger height to spec.

Post by **Lavoy** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:25 pm

Install 7 and 6 period, what you had in there originally is irrelevant, what the book says is irrelevant. If you want what the book shows, well past $1000 just for the fiber discs. Anything less than 7 and 6 and the clutch will not function. I have installed more than I can count and sold thousands. What you have is exactly what I have sold for 25 years, and what I would sell you today.
350 and two cylinders are completely different discs and do not interchange, plus 350 uses 8 and 7.
Lavoy

fundytides · Post by **fundytides** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 6:09 am

Thanks everyone. You guys are great!. There is no one in my neck of the woods that is into these old crawlers so it's hard to get info locally. I'll put the clutch pack together, adjust the pressure plate and I should be back in business. I must not have adjusted the fingers properly the first time I did it.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 6:12 am

Hi,

Once again, I sit here thinking '420' when the subject is clearly '40'. Sigh.

Stan

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:19 am

On occasion with the 13 plate clutch in a 40 or MC you will encounter a really tight clutch due to slightly thicker fiber discs than spec, and depends on new or rebuilt pressure plate, and wear in the drum. If you just can not get the fingers up to the gauge, you can pull one steel plate out, and there will be enough adjustment in the pressure plate to compensate. I normally will switch a couple different pressure plates in to see if it will go, but hard for you to do unless you have a stack of new plates on hand.

420, 430, 440, and 1010 all take the same clutch disc, 350, 2010, and 450 are all unique to themselves.
Lavoy

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:24 am

Hi,

I last did the 420 in 1989, and the 350 in 1991, so my memory is likely faulty. But....I know I got two packs of fibers for the 420 and each came with 8 discs. I just used 7 and I think the extra two discs are still around.

I also know I got two packs of 8 fibers for the 350 and used them all. Here is where my memory is likely faulty. I thought they were the same part number...

So, then....what machine used 8 of the 420 part number discs?

Stan

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:26 am

Very, very, very late 430, late 440 with single piece brake drum, all 1010's. Some 1010 you will encounter a replacement brake drum that only uses 7 steels and is labeled as such, but fibers stay the same.
Lavoy

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