4500 SOS Servo 1 and the DDC

So I'm finally starting to get into my 4500 SOS to try and make the tranny work nice. The main problem I have with it is that the DDC speeds are intermittent. They will work better when the tractor is cold, When they work they are solid and strong, but sometimes (well, most times) they just don't work. I'm not convinced my DDC is bad because the way that its intermittent and not really "slipping" per say. It's more like they just don't engage, or when they do they will just dis-engage for no apperant reason. Maybe I'm just grasping because I don't want to split the tractor being that its a TLB with a cab it would be extra fun.

So to start off, I cleaned out the pickup screen, had some crud, but not horrible. Next I pulled Servo 1 and the large o-ring looks, well like its 40 years old. It's all there, but really loose on the servo, and the edges are all square and scored. Basically doesn't look like it would seal all that well.

My question is, With the symptoms I've described, could it be that Servo 1 is not releasing properly, thus not pressurizing the DDC all the time?

My plan is to replace all the servo o-rings, change the filter, adjust the bands and hope for the best. I think I also had the wrong fluid in there. I had 303 fluid Is there a huge difference between 303 and 134D?

Thanks,

Jim

have you had a pressure gauge on it? that would help eliminate pump issues unless it's bad, but you need to know the pressures.

Not yet, I figured after I get the filter, fluid, and o-rings in, I need to adjust the bands so I need to put gauges on it then anyway.

Do I need three gauges plumbed in at once? or can I just check individually?

Can you recommend a gauge?

This guy work?
http://www.mcmaster.com/#38055k13/=832uvk

You don't need guages to adjust bands. In the event you do want guages, any good 300 psi guage with the proper plumbing will work. It would make life simpler when guaging to have three guages simultaneously, but it can be done with one.

Now then, on the older (pre-65) DDC tractors, there is a DDC valve under the steering column. I'm not absolutely sure about the 4500, but would guess it to be similar. I might suspect it first and/or even the b1 valve in the main control valve. They could be sticky causing your problems.