MF 135 Pressure Plate

DonJDavis · Apr 4, 2016

Hello, I have pulled the AD3 152 engine and will rebuild once I get the liners out. I have bought the new clutch assembly and new main 11 inch clutch disk, throw out bearing and pilot bushing. I was wondering if the old pressure plate can be turned? It's a lot different than the 1/2 ton GM clutch and pressure that I replaced a few years ago in my truck. Here's a picture of the #1 piston. Thanks, Don

ptfarmer · Apr 5, 2016

I usually just get a complete replacement clutch kit its better, and safer. The old pressure plate is cast, as is the pressure plate cover. I did a clutch job on one tractor that someone had brazed the cast pressure plate cover in 5 places because it was cracked, and before I took it off I found more cracks in the cover. If that cover had exploded it probably could have just broke the tractor in half!

DonJDavis · Apr 5, 2016

Hi Ptfarmer, I have purchased a new
clutch assembly, but was wondering
if the main pressure plate that
bolts to the crankshaft can be
turned / resurfaced to accept the
new clutch disc? Thanks, Don

ptfarmer · Apr 5, 2016

It can but I wouldn't do that unless it has gouges from a worn out clutch disk. If its smooth, but shiny (glazed) I take some 40 grit sand paper using a circular motion get rid of some of the shiny so the new disk has some fresh surface to bite into.

DonJDavis · Apr 5, 2016

I have owned this 1969 MF 135 for 13
years now and the main clutch disc
was in good shape when I pulled the
engine a month ago for the rebuild.
I have been told by a bunch of
people to just replace/ inspect the
clutch components while I have it
apart, I have a small 5 acre farm
with horses and cows so the tractor
isn't commercially used. The
pressure plate us not gouged just
shiny so I will give that a try,
thanks.

DavidP, South Wales · Apr 5, 2016

Hi, just to clarify; the part that bolts to the crankshaft is the flywheel and is normally referred to as the 'flywheel face' The pressure plate is the spring loaded assembly that exerts pressure on the clutch plate when you release the clutch pedal. Hence the plate in front of the PTO plate would be termed the 'flywheel' plate and the one behind the 'pressure' plate.
Under no circumstances should the pressure plates be skimmed. This will change the heat dissipation characteristics of the plate. The flywheel can be skimmed if it is scored or rusted. It is absolutely essential that the correct distance is maintained between the ledge and the flywheel face. What is taken off one must be taken off the other.

DavidP, South Wales

DonJDavis · Apr 5, 2016

Hello, yes I see, I meant resurfacing the flywheel not pressure plate as the new clutch assembly I bought has all those new parts. So I can/should resurface the flywheel since I have it unbolted but make sure that the surface under the air ring is resurfaced the same amount as the main surface? Thanks, Don

ptfarmer · Apr 5, 2016

What DavidP said is correct, when a flywheel is re-surfaced by a machine shop they usually remove .015" from the flywheel surface then they have to remove .015" from the air ring surface. Just looking at your flywheel I would scuff it up with something like 24 grit sand paper by hand.

DonJDavis · Apr 6, 2016

Hi Ptfarmer, so do you feel it's not
necessary to get the flywheel
resurfaced? I wasn't noticing
anything wrong with the clutch
before I pulled the engine because
of it's issues. The real main seal
was leaking pretty bad so the clutch
was pretty oily. Thanks, Don

ptfarmer · Apr 6, 2016

I don't think it needs it unless it got some scratches, feels uneven, or has gouges. If it feels smooth when you run your finger over it I just scuff it with some sand paper. That's been working good for me for along time, and that how my dad has been doing it for over 65 years.

DonJDavis · Apr 6, 2016

Great, thanks for the advice, I will
check it again but I'm sure it
doesn't have gouges or scratches,
thanks, Don

DavidP, South Wales · Apr 7, 2016

Ho Don,
I would only consider skimming it if it was scored or had a lot of surface cracks. With cracks you do not know how deep they are so if there are a lot it might be worth replacing the flywheel with a secondhand one.

DavidP, South Wales

MF 135 Pressure Plate

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