JD 440 crawler, left clutch lever clicking?

Hi,

New guy here. Just picked up a 1959 JD 440 Crawler, got a 6 year old into motocross and we need to start pushing up a super-cross track out back. I've owned a few dozers over the years, D4, D2, TD9. I've been fortunate I haven't had to work on them much, until now. Got a pretty good deal on this 440, at least I think I did. Mostly because it's seems to be having a steering clutch issue with the left side.

When you pull back on the left clutch lever it works once and a while, but not often or at all. Towards the end of the stroke you feel a click or snap in the lever itself. Upon removing both of the round inspection covers I can see what appears to be a throw out bearing moving all the way to the outer shaft and then popping back in about a 1/2" when the lever is about 3/4's stroke back. Looking at the right side, this same bearing makes its way to the outside and stays there. When the dozer is idled down or off, you can hear an audible click when this is happening. I don't have a service manual, so I have no idea what is inside there, but it seems like something is wore out and allowing this to happen.

Any guidance on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping its something simple.

Attached a few pics.

Thanks in advance, Matt

I'm getting my @@s kicked here. I would remove that "pics" topic, but it won't let me.

Anyway, pics attached to this thread now.

Steering clutches are grossly out of adjustment at the very least, may be deeper problem, but I would start there. Get a service manual, they are a must have to maintain these old girls.
Lavoy
jdcrawlers.com

(quoted from post at 09:11:53 01/16/17) Steering clutches are grossly out of adjustment at the very least, may be deeper problem, but I would start there. Get a service manual, they are a must have to maintain these old girls.
Lavoy
jdcrawlers.com

Click to expand...

Is there a link to the service manual online that I can print off?

Thanks, Matt

(quoted from post at 09:11:53 01/16/17) Steering clutches are grossly out of adjustment at the very least, may be deeper problem, but I would start there. Get a service manual, they are a must have to maintain these old girls.
Lavoy
jdcrawlers.com

Click to expand...

Or, order this one? I'm assuming this the correct one?

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/JD_MCREPRO_SV_9141.htm

Allright, got some 2x10's today and got the old girl in the shop, also ordered a service manual off this website.

Seat off, left and right upper inspection covers. Took a quick video and uploaded to youtube. I'm hoping you guys can get a better idea with what I'm dealing with. Maybe a pic or 2 of what to do prior to my service manual coming so I can get going on this.

If this video doesn't link, cut and paste into your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96gCtPnvgU

The old fiber disk facing have probably worn down presenting the problem you face, an adjustment may be all that is needed. If not then you will need to replace the disk packs. Try adjusting the free play of the throw-out bearing. Refer to the parts break down of Book 573 , pages 94/95 on the JD Parts web site. Through the round hole of the housing loosen the cap screw (#31) and twist the sections (#26,#27) apart taking up the clearance of throw-out bearing(#29). You want it tight, but not so tight that the pressure plate won't be fully engaged. Let us know how you make out..

(quoted from post at 22:13:17 01/16/17) The old fiber disk facing have probably worn down presenting the problem you face, an adjustment may be all that is needed. If not then you will need to replace the disk packs. Try adjusting the free play of the throw-out bearing. Refer to the parts break down of Book 573 , pages 94/95 on the JD Parts web site. Through the round hole of the housing loosen the cap screw (#31) and twist the sections (#26,#27) apart taking up the clearance of throw-out bearing(#29). You want it tight, but not so tight that the pressure plate won't be fully engaged. Let us know how you make out..

Click to expand...

Service manual is coming. In the meantime I took your advice and made an adjustment to the throw out bearing. As you can see in my pic, to get it to come close to making contact with the pressure plate (within a 1/16" of an inch) I had to move it quite a ways out. A good 1/4" showing on the back side of the slot now. The other side you just see a sliver of the slot, 1/16" to 1/32" showing.

That being said the lever pulls smoothly without popping, I haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but it seems to be working. Other than that I made a slight adjustment to the bolt that activates the brake band, matches the right side now so they both move at the same time.

Glad you got it working, their is only so much adjusting that can be done to the throw out bearing. Their is a minimum and maximum to the stack height of the fiber disks/steel plates in the clutch pack associated with the adjustment of the throw out bearing. When it reaches the minimum the clutch pressure plate will no longer be able to hold pressure to drive the track. Then it will be necessary to rebuild the clutch pack. Hopeful you wont need to go their any time soon..

Looks like you're on the right track. Good call on adjusting the brake engaging bolt. I was going to comment after watching the video that you were never contacting the brake band engagement. If the brake linkage is adjusted properly that is what will stop your travel of your steering lever. As you already know, you need to have the throwout bearing adjusted properly to disengage the clutch pack before the brake starts applying.
The popping is because the "quill" which is what the throwout bearing is on, sets on 3 or 4 balls. These balls are down in cups. When you pull the steering lever is causes the quill to start rotating. As it rotates on those balls, the cups cause the quill to start pushing out, which is when your throwout bearing pushes against the pressure plate fingers. The popping is because the quill is over rotating and the cups were coming completely out past the balls. That shouldn't happen. When you get the manual and see pictures it will make sense.