John Deere styled A engaged clutch growl

Landon Becker · Apr 4, 2017

I have a 1940 JD A that has a growl / grinding sound coming from the clutch only when it's engaged. I have replaced the bearing and sleeve bushing on the clutch pulley, and all the bearings on the primary and secondary shafts. All the gears seem to be in good shape inside the trans. Is there something in the adjusting of the clutch itself or the clutch plate that would make this noise? I haven't replaced any clutch parts other then the bearing and sleeve bushing. I do notice when the clutch is engaged that it will move in and out some.... The noise will come if it's in gear or parked. It gets much worse when it warms up.

Thank you all for a helpful site!

NoDakInMN · Apr 4, 2017

I hate to say this, but what condition are the splines on the crankshaft in?

Landon Becker · Apr 4, 2017

I didn't notice that they are bad but I'll admit it never crossed my mind that the crank could be the problem.....any advice? Could this be a common problem?

Mike M · Apr 5, 2017

I can't remember if that model has the tin dust shield JD calls an oil seal that bolts into place. If your bolts into place they need adjusted so they don't rub.
Otherwise if all the bearing are good and shafts tight then it is just likely noise from previous wear patterns on the gear teeth from when the bearings were bad. The reduction gear cover bearing that holds the end of the trans. input shaft was a trouble spot on all those early models.

Mitch D · Apr 5, 2017

Neighbors A did that also, some when engaged but worse when disengaged. Turned out to be bad splines on the flywheel.

Landon Becker · Apr 5, 2017

Would there be merit in disassembling the input shaft to the trans. and running it? Obviously with the cover back on. And then again running it without the pulley.....process of elimination? I did replace the cover bearing on the input shaft to the trans. when I was in there.

Thanks so far for the input!

NoDakInMN · Apr 6, 2017

I think I would look the splines over and eliminate that as a problem first. If there is some play in the splines on the clutch side, you might not have noise when the clutch is disengaged because the clutch driver is essentially freewheeling at that point. But when the clutch is engaged, then the splines on the crankshaft and driver become the point of power transfer and any play in there would then become pronounced. Slight variations in rpm, which happens as the engine runs with the clutch engaged but not under load, would add to this as there would be back and forth action as the rpm rises and lowers. Wear on the flywheel side will also creates noise as others have mentioned.

NoDakInMN · Apr 6, 2017

Is your A a hand start model? If so, with the tractor shut off, put it in a high gear, engage the clutch and then try to rock the flywheel back and forth. If the flywheel moves and the clutch pulley doesn't, you got spline issues. If it does not, it doesn't mean you are out of the woods yet as there may be some binding. But if it does, look at the crank one the flywheel side as you rock it back and forth to see of there is play there. The clutch driver side may also need closer inspection.

John Deere styled A engaged clutch growl

Landon Becker

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