I have a Super M with disc brakes. About 5 years ago I replaced the brakes discs on the left side and at the time, I replaced the springs, and balls too, as well as the adjuster bolt (which was bent).
I never rebuilt the right brake, because it's coated with grease, so I guess the seal is leaking into the tranny, and I'm not into ripping apart the whole tranny to change it.
So, I've just learned to use only one brake, which used to work fairly well. But lately they have gotten real poor and I actually had to jackknife my hay mower last week in order to stop on a hill. That's when I decided it's time to replace the discs again on that left brake. I just took them apart and found those discs are almost like brand new still.
The springs are fine and the balls are round and aside from a few specs of minor rust they look perfect. However, I did find a lot of dirt and crud in the bottom of the drum, which I wonder of that was causing some of the poor braking. I washed everything well, using dish soap and water, and will wipe the balls and their grooves with alcohol.
I also found the discs are very shiny. Should I run a belt sander across them, or at least sand them by hand? And I suppose it would not hurt to sand the mating metal surfaces too.
Otherwise, I dont know why that brake got so bad recently.
Lastly, should I apply a light coating of grease on the balls and on the spline?
By the way, the backing plate which the brakes contact, which is the part against the tranny, appears to be a separate piece. Does that come off? (I dont really need to remove it, but if it comes off, It would be easier to sand it.)
I tried to hammer a screwdriver in the gap, and got 1/16" space, but it feels like something else is holding it.
Thanks
I never rebuilt the right brake, because it's coated with grease, so I guess the seal is leaking into the tranny, and I'm not into ripping apart the whole tranny to change it.
So, I've just learned to use only one brake, which used to work fairly well. But lately they have gotten real poor and I actually had to jackknife my hay mower last week in order to stop on a hill. That's when I decided it's time to replace the discs again on that left brake. I just took them apart and found those discs are almost like brand new still.
The springs are fine and the balls are round and aside from a few specs of minor rust they look perfect. However, I did find a lot of dirt and crud in the bottom of the drum, which I wonder of that was causing some of the poor braking. I washed everything well, using dish soap and water, and will wipe the balls and their grooves with alcohol.
I also found the discs are very shiny. Should I run a belt sander across them, or at least sand them by hand? And I suppose it would not hurt to sand the mating metal surfaces too.
Otherwise, I dont know why that brake got so bad recently.
Lastly, should I apply a light coating of grease on the balls and on the spline?
By the way, the backing plate which the brakes contact, which is the part against the tranny, appears to be a separate piece. Does that come off? (I dont really need to remove it, but if it comes off, It would be easier to sand it.)
I tried to hammer a screwdriver in the gap, and got 1/16" space, but it feels like something else is holding it.
Thanks