JD LA Clutch disk problem, help

fpappal

Member
I posted this and it disappeared so I will try again.

Last year I installed a different flywheel in my LA because the one I had had a bad ring gear. I found a flywheel with good ring gear for less money than just a ring gear. At the time I also decided to replace the clutch disk. Like an idiot I totally forgot to replace the throwout bearing. When I got it back together the propeller shaft would not stop spinning when I put my foot on the clutch. Sometimes I would get lucky and it would, but usually it would not, or it took a while before it stopped. When I released the clutch it also gave me a nasty squealing noise, which I assumed was the throwout bearing I never changed.

This week I decided to replace the throwout bearing, but I am still having the same problem. If I lay on my back and look up at the clutch assembly I can see that everything is moving freely. With the clutch pedal pressed down I can spin the clutch disk with my finger, so I know the throwout bearing is doing its job. When clutch pedal is released the clutch disk locks solid against the flywheel.

With the tractor in gear and my foot on the clutch, if you try to push the tractor the propeller shaft spins between your legs.
With the clutch pedal pressed, if I spin the loose clutch disk with my finger, it actually turns the propeller shaft.

What would cause this? Does it have something to do with the brass bushing in the flywheel that the clutch shaft slides into? I would not think it was a tight fit since the clutch shaft slides into it easily when I install the clutch housing.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
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With it in gear, and the clutch depressed, moving the tractor will spin the propeller shaft, sitting still with the clutch depressed, and spinning the clutch disk, it will turn the propeller shaft, cause its mating the clutch disk splines.
 
Did you set the pressure plate finger height evenly on all 3 and to "spec"?

The lined disc may be warped or otherwise damaged.

NOT sure if this is possible on your tractor because of the propeller shaft, but on a typical clutch system you can slide the bare clutch disc on the pilot shaft and spin it while watching for warp or wobble.
 
Ditto on warped or issue being with the replaced clutch disk. I put a NOS clutch I got on ebay in my LA. It was warped but not to the point where I could see with the naked eye. Mine would sometimes release, sometimes not. I ended up buying a used clutch disk. Sounds nuts right. I tried an aftermarket clutch disk and it just was too thick from day 1. So I went to one of the used LA parts guys and had them measure up a few old clutch disks and bought one with more meat than the one I took out. No issues after that.

If you have the old clutch disk, and it is not totally used up, I would install that and see if your problems go away.

You also stated it was a different flywheel. Sure it is correct for the LA? The LA used a different flywheel than the L with the JD motor and even further from the L with the herc motor.
 
I think I answered to this before ?

I had the same problem with my LA when I swapped engines and flywheels. Old pilot bushing looked fine and sure did not seem tight to the shaft. It would not stop turning enough to get it into gear without grinding. I pulled it back apart. Ordered a brand NEW pilot bushing from JD installed it and problem went away !
 
Do you think that this would also want to make an 40 l want not to stop. When we pull something hard the l some times doesn't want to stop with the clutch pushed in. I see that the clutch rod is starting to bend also with it push in and some times you have to slam on the brakes an kill it. Every thing is free on it.
 
Did you adjust the pedal free play ? I'd start with that. Not sure if the 40 used a bushing or a pilot bearing but either way if it were to go bad it can makes things lock up. Really tough on a model 40 as there is not an inspection cover either.
 
I don't know if I should laugh or cry. While looking up the part number for the pilot bushing in my parts catalog I happened to notice the picture of the clutch disk. They have the nipple of the clutch disk facing the flywheel. I have it facing the opposite direction!!!!!!!!! I distinctly remember questioning the direction of that disk before I put it in. Somehow I decided the nipple should be facing out. Looks like I was wrong. So now I get to take it apart and see if that solves my problem.

I did call JD about the pilot bushing, they are $75 each. Clutch disks from JD are no longer available.

Thanks for the help, I will let you know how it turns out.
 
I sure wish I had a good enough memory to remember how that disk hub goes ? I guess when you get it apart you can see if there is enough clearance to try it the other way unless it bottoms into the flywheel.
 
Looks like I had it in correct. If I reverse it the center hub hits the flywheel. Should the pilot bushing fit tight in the flywheel? On my old flywheel I can pull it right out. On my replacement flywheel the bushing is locked in tight. If that is suppose to be loose that most likely is my problem. Do you recall how tight the bushing is to the clutch shaft? I took the bushing out of the old flywheel and slipped it on the end of the clutch shaft, it was a tight fight but I could still spin it around.
 
The bushings are to fit tight into the flywheel. Should be a nice slip fit onto the shaft with some play. That's what was weird about mine. It was old and used so should of been too loose of fit and it seemed loose ? even when greased once together it would not let it shift gears. New one let it work fine. I figure the old one the impregnated oil in the bushing was gone ?
I usually never ever reuse a throw out bearing and pilot bearing or bushing. The 1 time I tried it I had to redo it. At least the LA is easy enough to tear apart ! I know it was expensive for that bushing years ago too.
 
Ya it seems to have good free play it seems like the arm for the fork is bottoming out or some thing making the rod start to bend. We were doing a food plot and had a 9 foot singal disk behind it and it was working hard and when it was time to stop it just wanted to keep going. Some time it would work other times it wouldn't and make it not safe. Any info on what to do thanks.
 
what is the best method for removing the old bushing? Something like a slide hammer? Thanks for the advice, I will order a new bushing. Now I need to decide if I should use my new clutch disk or go back to the original.
 
Sometimes a correct fitting steel rod and pack the hole full of grease. Stick the rod in the center hole and drive on the end. Grease will not compress so it forces the bushings out.
 
About all you can do at this point would be split it apart for inspection. Sure can't have one that will not stop reliably.
 

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