John Deere 420c steering clutch adjustment

[Billhc83]

If I suspected the pressure plate was out of wack I would jog the machine around and take note of the distance of each finger from the thrust bearing. How close is your thrust bearing to the fingers? If you were to block up the machine you could do some manual testing of the clutch....loosen brake band pull the clutch lever and bar the track around to see if it's working....my guess is the brake is not in sync with the clutch

Cheers

[E.Huffman]

Lavoy, when you were refering to adjusting the clutch to a tee by the manual were you refering to steering clutch or the main clutch? My service manual only has one way to adjust the main clutch and that is by turning the jam nut on the side of the center tube, however that applies to the tractors but not crawlers. Is there a way to adjust the main clutch besides the linkage underneath? I believe my steering clutch has a new disk and needs worn in like dtoots said unless you think other wise. Thanks!

[Lavoy]

Were you talking main clutch? If so, I misunderstood, sorry. Correct, main clutch has only one adjustment.
If a steering clutch does not operate correctly, it is adjusted incorrectly, or shot, or something has broken.
Lavoy

[E.Huffman]

Ok Thanks Thats what I thought Just wanted to be clear!

[E.Huffman]

Lavoy, how do I keep my adjustment bolt on the steering clutch tight? For some reason adjusted all the way up it tends to work its self out of adjustment when I am using it. Any suggestions?

[Lavoy]

Which bolt are you referring to?
Lavoy

[E.Huffman]

The throw out bearing bolt.

[Lavoy]

Never had trouble with that, does it have a flat washer on it?
Lavoy

[E.Huffman]

Yes I do have the flat washer. I really don't want to twist the bolt off either!

[Lavoy]

Something is odd, I just don't ever have trouble with that adjustment not holding. It has to be tight enough to not slip.
Lavoy

[Paul Buhler]

Mr Huffman. I’d try some blue lock tight. It may be that your threads are worn. I used some red lock tight on the opposite threaded shaft because it wanted to vibrate in and rub against the throw out tube causing drag. No problems now.
Good luck.

[dtoots1]

THIS APPLIES TO THE STEERING CLUTCH.

Just a FYI...i had same problem with that t/o bearing locking nut...after several times o the little booger getting loose...i figured i needed to add just a bit more pressure on it....it is scary, cause i had already snapped the original bolt off trying to loosen it....so it does take that little bit more pressure to lock it properly....i actually used the old crank shaped spinner handle with socket taped to the end and the bolt and washer to get it in and tightened, has just enough leverage to tighten...think manual actually shows pic of using that tool. that flat washer actually bends just a bit in the groove.

[E.Huffman]

Ok Thanks I might have to put more pressure on it I just don't want to snap it!

[E.Huffman]

Lavoy, I pulled the engine because my clutch was slipping with my pedal adjusted right and I find that my throw out bearing is cupped on the side towards the pressure plate, is that pressure plate adjusted to tight? Also is there any way to adjust it with out a jd7 gauge? Thanks!

[Lavoy]

Not a pressure plate issue, the throwout bearing is dragging on the pressure plate, not enough freeplay. I would replace the throwout bearing at the least, maybe the pressure plate.
Lavoy