Grinding Clutch on 48

[cecildew]

I have a 1948 Cub with a grinding clutch. The pedal is fully depressed, but when I try to shift into gear it grinds. I thought I might be able to adjust the pedal as it does seem to go down about 2" before engaging and I know that it should only go 1" before engaging. However I can't figure out how to do that. Any ideas?

[MiCarl]

On the '48 you adjust the clutch by turning a clevis at the throw out bearing. That round cover under the clutch gives you access.

I have a '48 and it will also grind going from neutral into gear. But shifting between gears there is no problem. I think there is just enough drag at the clutch and pilot bearing to keep the input shaft spinning when it is in neutral. I throttle down and shift quickly into reverse on the theory I'd rather put the wear on the reverse gear than a gear that gets worked under load.

[Glen]

Hi,
IH changed the method of adjusting the clutch pedal free play about half way through 1948, at Cub serial number 32229, so you could have either style of adjustment.
You can look at the serial number and see what it is.

Below is a page from the 1947 Cub owner's manual, showing how to adjust the clutch pedal free play for the 1st style of adjustment.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-40.jpg

Below is a page from the 1949 Cub owner's manual, showing how to adjust the free play for the 2nd style adjustment.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-40.jpg

It's also possible that the 3 pressure plate fingers are too low, and need raising up to the correct measurement. It is common that they are low.
The throwout bearing and it's holder can only move a certain distance ahead before they hit the turning pressure plate. If the fingers are adjusted too low, the clutch won't fully release before the bearing hits the pressure plate.

Try adjusting the free play first, and see if it works.

[cecildew]

Thanks. It is Serial #19999, so the 47 book should do the trick.

[Glen]

Hi,
Since it is the 1st style of free play adjustment, you could also check the pressure plate finger height, while you are working up through the hand hole. They have to be the right height so the clutch will release.
Some of the people on here have said to use about 1 1/8" high, for Cubs with the 1st style free play adjustment.
It might work with the 1 1/4" height also. You can tell as you try using the clutch.

Below is a post showing how to adjust the finger height. You have to make the tool shown in the post.

viewtopic.php?f=141&t=66543

Below is a pic showing where to measure. The pressure plate has to be assembled on the flywheel, not off, like in the pic. The finger height changes as the pressure plate is put on the flywheel.

[inairam]

On a 48 I would go with the 1 1/4 adjustment. I used the 1 1/8 and have to go back in had to redo it. That is even with the after sn 32229 clutch pedal arrangement with external adjustment.

[ajhbike]

I had the same issue and brought my loboy to Cecil's to split and fix. TST Tim noticed the bolt on the throwout bearing had disappeared. Replaced it and it fixed the problem. Check it out