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Hi Joe, maybe the screetching is the clutch release bearing? Sometimes the clutch return spring breaks and it does not lift the clutch pedal up to move the release bearing away from the pressure plate fingers and this causes the release bearing to turn constantly and wear out. If you do an archive search on clanger you will find a picture of the clutch return spring. The test for the sqealing release bearing is with tractor in neutral and parking brake set and engine running at low idle, gentle press the clutch down with your hand until resistance is felt. This will engage the release bearing to the fingers on the pressure plate and if squealing is detected then it is the release bearing. If the clutch return spring is not broken there should be about 3/4" of free clutch pedal movement before the release bearing makes contact with the pressure plate and you can feel that with your hand.
Now to test the pilot bearing, with the same setup as before but this time sitting in the seat as normal, depress the clutch with your foot and go from neutral to low with the high/lo/rev shift lever, if is hard to get into gear(grinding gears) and then squeals after it is in gear then it is most likely the pilot bearing. There is an inspection plate in the bottom of the torque tube that can be removed to check the release bearing. MAKE SURE ENGINE IS OFF AND PARKING BRAKE SET OR WHEELS BLOCKED BEFORE removing the inspection plate. Older tractor used to have a grease fitting to lube the release bearing but not the 454. You can shine a light in there and spin the release bearing with a long screw driver to see if it turns freely. IF it is the release bearing it will eventually wreck the pressure plate fingers. IF it is the pilot bearing eventually you will not be able to change gears without shutting engine off and eventually it will sieze completely and you will not be able to stop tractor by depressing the clutch as the transmission drive shaft will not stop turning. BECAREFUL and lets us know the solution
JB
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