Left brake is intermittent.

[LRiddle]

I was plowing snow today and my left brake went out on me. Sometimes pedal would go down as far as my leg could push it with no braking effect. Other times it would operate as normal with very little pedal travel. The original bands were professionally relined about two years ago so I don't think that's a problem. All the external parts are moving, so the problem must be inside the final. Have any of you dealt with this issue before? I haven't taken anything apart yet and I was hoping to wait until spring in between snow plow and lawn mowing duties unless you guys think it might require immediate attention.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The only thing I can think of that would explain what you described would be the set screw not holding the pedal good on the shaft. Do you know if you have the straight pull brake bands (bands have a long rod attached), or the toggle type bands (loop on each end of brake band)?

[LRiddle]

The only thing I can think of that would explain what you described would be the set screw not holding the pedal good on the shaft. Do you know if you have the straight pull brake bands (bands have a long rod attached), or the toggle type bands (loop on each end of brake band)?

Good question. I should have specified in my post. They are the straight pull kind.

[Glen]

Hi,
If all the linkage is moving on the left side, down to the final drive, when you push the brake pedal, the brake drum may have come loose on the shaft, and moved to the side, then the brake band won't be touching the drum anymore.
The setscrew in the brake drum has to be tight to hold the drum in position. If it is loose, the drum could move.
Dale Finch did a post about it in the past. It is in 2 parts.

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewto ... =1&t=78421

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewto ... =1&t=78427

You can look in through the slotted holes with a light, and see where the drum is. It should be centered in the brake band.

[LRiddle]

So curiosity got the best of me and I decided to have a look at the left brake, and I'm pretty glad I did. I had figured the set screw on the drum had loosened and the drum moved over and off the band, but when I pulled the final I found the drum had actually broke in a few pieces. I'm not sure if the pieces would've got caught up in anything, but I'm glad I didn't have to find out. Luckily I have another final that has a couple implement bolt holes broken off. I was able to swap out drums, a little emery cloth and brake cleaner and I was good to go.

[Slim140]

Catastrophic brake drum failure, you win that one

[Urbish]

Ouch. Your brake breaked. Sounds like you have it all in order and glad you didn't wait to diagnose.

[LRiddle]

Catastrophic brake drum failure, you win that one

Lol. Yeah, that was the last thing i was expecting to see. I must have a heavy foot or something. Looks like a good repair challenge for you.

[Slim140]

Catastrophic brake drum failure, you win that one

Lol. Yeah, that was the last thing i was expecting to see. I must have a heavy foot or something. Looks like a good repair challenge for you.

Easier to make a new one The good news is your set screw looks great!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I had that happen on one of mine several years ago, but it did not have intermittent braking, it had no braking on that wheel.

[LRiddle]

That's interesting, mine was the left side too. I wonder what caused it.