clutch problem

[tomstractor]

My 57 has not been driven since I bought it, all apart. I have done engine work, rings, valves, rod bearings. Now I see a rear main engine seal
leak. I am now trying to split the tractor, no problem. It came apart about 1/4 inch and stopped. With a pry bar it will come apart maybe 2 inches and springs back. What now???

[Dale Finch]

Did you remove the clutch housing cover, on the bottom just forward of the flywheel? BTDT!!
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/cl/843fp.htm
Or it could be the 2 dowel pins (one on each side), which get paint and rust on them that tend to bind.

[tomstractor]

cover is off and it is out past the ends of the pins. It seems to move around in the housing like its on springs. Pull it out and it pops back in.

[Jim Becker]

First off, I assume you have double checked everything external to the clutch housing -- hydraulic lines, wiring, control rods . . .

The only thing I can think of that might cause that behavior is a clutch disk stuck on the transmission input shaft. I suppose you can reach through the hand hole on the bottom and unbolt the pressure plate assembly from the flywheel. If you try that, try to stick some support between the pressure plate and bell housing so the weight of the clutch assembly isn't hanging on the input shaft. I've never run into this problem, thus not sure of likelihood or how well my suggested work-around will work.

[Dale Finch]

Is the bottom of the flywheel hitting the forward edge of the clutch housing?
Do you have the 2 tractor halves chocked that would prevent them from separating?
If rolling the rear back (as opposed to the front forward), is the tractor out of gear?

Also, I have had the hydraulic manifold snag even though it was disconnected...or anything else (as mentioned by Jim) across the gap, like wires, etc.

[ricky racer]

Is it possible that the pilot bushing could be stuck onto the end of the shaft??

[Eugene]

The only thing I can think of that might cause that behavior is a clutch disk stuck on the transmission input shaft. I suppose you can reach through the hand hole on the bottom and unbolt the pressure plate assembly from the flywheel.

Is it possible that the pilot bushing could be stuck onto the end of the shaft??

Unbolt the pressure plate from the flywheel. This will let the two halves of the tractor separate.

I've never run into this problem

I have, stuck pilot shaft bushing, and the solution was as described.

[ScottyD'sdad]

Steering wheel could be hanging up on the support.Not a spot you'd think of, for stopping the split, but it will.

Ed

[Jim Becker]

Is it possible that the pilot bushing could be stuck onto the end of the shaft??

Unbolt the pressure plate from the flywheel. This will let the two halves of the tractor separate.

I've never run into this problem

I have, stuck pilot shaft bushing, and the solution was as described.

I find it difficult to believe that the input shaft, stuck in the pilot bushing will have more than an inch and a half of stretch capable of springing back.

[Eugene]

I find it difficult to believe that the input shaft, stuck in the pilot bushing will have more than an inch and a half of stretch capable of springing back.

Actually, with the stuck pilot shaft bushing, one side of the split would move apart/open up about 1/4" or so the return. Other side same 1/4" or so, then return. After unbolting the pressure plate, the tractor split apart. The pilot shaft bushing was still on the transmission main shaft, keeping that shaft from moving thru the clutch disk.

The original poster said about 2" gap with pry bar. My guess is that gap comes from compressing the pressure plate fingers.

When he gets the tractor apart we will find out the cause.

[ricky racer]

Is it possible that the pilot bushing could be stuck onto the end of the shaft??

Unbolt the pressure plate from the flywheel. This will let the two halves of the tractor separate.

I've never run into this problem

I have, stuck pilot shaft bushing, and the solution was as described.

I find it difficult to believe that the input shaft, stuck in the pilot bushing will have more than an inch and a half of stretch capable of springing back.

If the pilot bushing was stuck on the shaft and pulled out of the crankshaft, is what I am suggesting. The bushing would strike the clutch disc and could act as described.

[Dale Finch]

But is the diameter of the bushing stuck on the smaller section of shaft really larger than the hole in the clutch? The pilot tool below would be similar to the shaft (photo courtesy TM Tractors):
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/cl/7932fp.htm
And it seems the distance it would travel to reach that point would be more than 2".

[ricky racer]

The OD of the bushing would only need to be greater than the ID of the splines to cause interference, and I think the amount of travel would be about probably a little less than 2".
The clutch alignment tool is a great visual aid....

[tomstractor]

Got it apart by unbolting the clutch cover from the flywheel. The disc was stuck on the spline and stretched the fingers. The cover is now ruined but it was bad anyway. Cleaned it up and the new disc slides nice on the shaft. Thanks for the ideas.

[ricky racer]