1953 Brake Issue

[Bob McCarty]

Your last link shows the slot on the shaft for the woodruff (half moon) key.

[57j2olds]

Flat side towards the shaft?

[Dale Finch]

Agree with Shane...you've done the hard part. Head down to NAPA (or your choice store) and pick up those 2 seals. It takes no time to pull them out and press in the new ones.

[Dale Finch]

Flat side towards the shaft?

Yes, and make sure your key is in good condition...if in doubt, they are available at decent hardware stores, as are the square head set screws and jam nuts.

[Glen]

Hi,
The key goes in the shaft with the curved side down in the shaft, matching the cut in the shaft. You may have to tap it in with a hammer. Be sure the cut in the shaft is clean.

Below is TM Tractor's page of brake parts, you can look at the pics.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/br/br_001newparts.htm

If the new brake drum fits loose on the shaft you have, the shaft needs replacing. The drum must fit snugly on the shaft. If the shaft is rough where the drum fits on it, or where the seals run on it, smooth it up with fine sandpaper. But if it is bad, it should be replaced.

TM Tractor has a new upper shaft, I posted their page of final drive parts at a post before this one, it comes with no bearing. You would have to buy a new bearing too, and have it put on the shaft, it probably needs to be pressed on the shaft. Be sure the bearing is facing the right way, it has a snap ring on the OD of it.

Your brake lining look wornout in your pic. It is down to the rivet in one place.
TM Tractor has new brake bands with lining, the easier way to replace the brakes, if you don't want to put lining on the bands it has. They are at the bottom left on the page of their brake parts.

[57j2olds]

Question -

Does the drum go on first, then the key? Where do you position the drum before you turn the set screw?

[Gary Dotson]

The woodruff key is first installed and firmly seated. making sure it is level to the shaft. The drum is then slid on until it seats against the step on the shaft, then install the set screw.

[57j2olds]

Thanks!

[Jeff Silvey]

Make sure if you put in new seals that you don't tear the rubber seal on the inside. Dress up the shaft with emery cloth then clean with break clean.
Good luck

[Glen]

Hi,
The setscrew should have a lock nut, to keep it from coming loose. Tighten the setscrew well, then tighten locknut down against the drum.

Below is a listing for them at TM Tractor, you can look at the pic.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/br/4721fp.htm

[57j2olds]

Im in the process of putting the drum on..ITS NOT LOOSE..

In fact I'm having a hard time getting it all the way down...

Can I use a couple hammers on it?

[57j2olds]

https://imggmi.com/full/2019/8/11/a27b793643476cf7c72ffc6bd5340193-full.jpg.html


Is this drum on all the way??

[Jim Becker]

Does not look all the way to me. Check the key. If it moved part way out of the slot, it will keep the drum from going all the way on.

[57j2olds]

ok I got it down. I took a piece of pipe and used a hammer on the end.

My brake linings come tomorrow....

[Dale Finch]

Using a flashlight, can you confirm the key is still in place, as Jim pointed out? Very important, along with being seated all the way in. Then make sure that set screw is good and tight, and finally that the jam nut is also good and tight!

With your new brake linings, you may need to adjust the brake rod length. If it hasn't moved in a while (like 60+ years!) you may have to soak it with penetrating oil for a while. Be careful, I snapped off an end on one trying to rush it.