adjusting 4500 brakes

jetlag1946 · Aug 31, 2016

I have ordered the brake actuator rod seals for my 4500 rear housing . I dont believe the brakes were ever adjusted because the adjustment was screwed all the way to the bottom of the threads and not holding at all on the right brake and just a little on the left. My question is when my seals come and I get it all back together how do I adjust the brake rod ? Im sure the pedal needs a certain amount of free travel before engaging. Also I saw a post that said the seal is just more or less a splash seal. That is not correct , if the 4500 is filled to the fill plug for the rear end there will be at least an inch of fluid above the seal, mine was sitting level and over 2 gal came out when I removed the seal. I had the fill level plug out so it was not over filled .

shaun wallace · Aug 31, 2016

Do mean titend all the way to the end of threads on rod next to big washer. If so brake discs are wore out. I have same problem on the 1 Iam getting going again. There is 2 nuts that adjust them up.

jetlag1946 · Sep 1, 2016

Thanks Shaun , I must have been thinking wrong , I though when the brake pedal is applied it presses in on the brake rod . So to tighten you would make the rod longer. If what you say is true the brake pedal must pull out on the rod to apply brakes . Also I cant see the purpose of the large flat washer , it is just sliding around loose on the brake rod rod on the left and some one has left the washer off on the right side . Do I have parts missing ? There are no other parts on the actuator rod except the seal and the adjustment yoke and lock nut. I know how to adjust the brake rod , in my post I was asking how do you know when the brake rod is properly adjusted.

sotxbill · Sep 1, 2016

washer acts to keep debris out of the seal area and offers some protection on the wet brake system. you adjust the pedal to get about 1.5 inches of play till the brakes start to engage. It tightens up with just a few turns.

Destroked 450 · Sep 1, 2016

The brake pedal pulls the linkage out to apply the brakes.
The big washer acts as a shield to prevent sharp objects (bushes, broken tree limbs, corn stalks, ect) from punching a hole through the seal when you run over them.
My service manual says 2" of pedal travel when appling 45 lbs pressure on the pedal, without using a scale I like to have full brake lock between 2-3" of pedal travel.
Adjust the right brake until it is 2+ inches below the left pedal when brakes are applied, then adjust left brake until it is level with the right pedal when both brakes are applied.

The main thing is to not get them to tight that they drag, when I adjust mine which is very rarely, I work the pedal with my hand instead of my foot.

Shetland Sheepdog · Sep 1, 2016

Remove spring, that holds left pedal against step, then adjust linkage so pedal is 1-5/8" below right pedal. Next, remove spring from right pedal and adjust linkage so both pedals are even. Last, reinstall both springs. You have completed the adjustment, but if braking is not adequate, at this point, you have bigger problems!
HTH, Dave

jetlag1946 · Sep 1, 2016

Thanks for all the replies , I will be able to do the adjustment . I doubt I will have enough adjustment left to get a proper pedal. The pedals were going almost to the step board when applied and I only had about 1/4 inch of threats left I can adjust.
I dont know how I made it all those years driving in the woods without ripping the seals because the large washer is gone off the right side and it is just sliding around on the rod on the left side . Isn't there suppose to be a spring or something that holds the large washer up against the seal ?

sotxbill · Sep 1, 2016

a little "pinch washer" was on the shaft to hold the washer back against the seal...

Destroked 450 · Sep 2, 2016

Someone had put a small hose clamp around the brake rod to hold one of the washers in place on mine, it's still holding.

jetlag1946 · Sep 2, 2016

(quoted from post at 08:01:00 09/02/16)

(reply to post at 19:12:55 09/01/16)

Click to expand...

Thanks Destroked 450 and sotxbill , I knew there should be something to hold the washer . The small hose clamp will work well . I might even get fancy and install a small spring between the washer and seal , with a little pre pressure on the spring , the washer will stay against the seal when brakes are applied !!

jetlag1946 · Sep 2, 2016

(reply to post at 12:01:52 09/02/16)

OOPS I made a mistake , the spring will be between the large washer and the hole clamp .

jetlag1946 · Sep 2, 2016

(reply to post at 12:16:09 09/02/16)

sorry , I made another typo, I meant to say hose clamp not hole clamp .

adjusting 4500 brakes

jetlag1946

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shaun wallace

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jetlag1946

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sotxbill

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Destroked 450

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Shetland Sheepdog

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sotxbill

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Destroked 450

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jetlag1946

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