931B steering again for Bob

I put the steering valves back in and used a feeler gauge to gap the roller and cam as best I could. Neither side needed a lot of adjustment but one side the feeler gauge just slid in snug and the other side the feeler gauge went in but was a little tighter fit. There is a tiny bit of play/slop still with the cam and/or the roller. I see they also put new pins in for the roller. It called for .029" gap and I used .028. I didn't think .001 would make much difference. It's funny, in the section of manual I downloaded it said .029+-.029. Does that mean it has to be exactly .029 or it can be .029 either way of the original .029? I did check and both rollers will spin freely and are not in contact with the cam with the pedals up. Should this be OK? Also the brake linkage rods are adjusted to move right away when you push on the pedal. I did adjust the bands before and one brake linkage required a lot more pedal before it moved so I adjusted it similar to the brake that was working good.

I couldn't start it to check because I think I need a new battery. I couldn't even boost it. Are the brake linkage rods supposed to have some play? I can't remember but I think as long as the bands are adjusted right the linkage shouldn't have free play? Thanks in advance for your expertise. Wasn't a bad job but hard on the knee's and cramped to get at. Then pulling that darn 8D battery out. I took the seat frame out and I'm not putting it back on till I have the battery checked. I'm 98% sure I need a new one but I'll get it checked. It was a reconditioned battery I got for $80 at the battery Dr......

in late 2004 so I can't complain. I called the same place I bought it and can get another reconditioned 8D with a 1 year warranty for the same $80 exchange. $20 credit for the old battery. I bought a reconditioned battery for my tractor from the same place and it's even older and after sitting all winter still starts the 3 cyl. Perkins like nothing.

You are good with your adjustments. What is needed is clearance at rest and very little pedal movement to contact the spool end. About the brake linkage, if you have dry clutches you can't run the bands too tight the drums will seize in the bands. Wet Clutches will run tight and ruin the drums and linings. Adjust the bands tight, take out linkage pins at the rear, pull back linkage and push forward on levers. Adjust linkage as short as you can and still get the pins in. Then adjust for good pedal travel.
Later Bob

Thanks Bob! I don't really want to go into the brake adjusters because it's pretty dirty on top and I don't have a good way to clean it. A pressure washer would be nice but I don't need any water getting into the dry brakes. I'm not too concerned with pedal travel if I have steering again. It seemed pretty good before when I adjusted the brake bands. The one brake linkage on the side that quit had a lot of play so I tightened it up similar to the side that worked. It helped but slowed the other side when turning. Then one day the brakes on that side quit altogether. I hope I didn't wear out the brake bands. I don't think I had the bands too tight though because I've drove a 1/2 mile to my neighbors back field several times, in 2nd gear. It drives and dig good. I have the Cat procedure somewhere and it seems like a lot of work to adjust the steering and brakes. Measure A to B and it should XX, then measure C to D and it should be XX, etc., etc.

My battery won't even let me boost it anymore so I'm picking up another one. I'll need a hernia operation after that. Hopefully I'll have good steering. I don't want to put the floor plates or seat frame back in until I know the steering is fixed. The seat frame is a pain to take out yourself too. It has to come out to get the battery out and it's still a tight fit. I bet you hate working on these small machines. LoL The back panel has a lip and I can't remove it because the backhoe is on and even if it wasn't the hyd. connectors prevent removing the rear cover. I should know next weekend when I'm out there. Thanks so much for all your expertise!!!