gears grinding Ford 8n

WALTER GORMAN · Oct 28, 2022

Good evening...I'm having trouble shifting gears in my Ford 8n (gears grinding and hard to get in gear)

Can Old Hydraulic Fluid cause shifting problems ? I've tried to adjust the clutch but no help.

I'm hoping it's not my clutch.....Thanks in Advance

Walter n Da Carolina's

Royse · Oct 28, 2022

There are quite a few causes for this on the old N series tractors.
Some of which are a cracked clutch linkage pivot where it attaches
to the through shaft on the transmission housing; rusted flywheel
that the clutch disk stuck to if the tractor has been setting a while;
oily clutch disk caused by a leak at the engine rear main seal or
the transmission input shaft seal; pressure plate/flywheel/clutch
assemble worn out.

The cracked pivot can be replaced or repaired by a good welder.
A rusted flywheel may clean up with use if not too far gone.
The whole clutch kit is about $50 last I looked, but it does require a split.
The input shaft seal is only a few bucks, but still requires a split.
Rear main seal, well, let's hope for one of the other options.
But if it comes down to that, many of us have done them before.

Steve@Advance · Oct 28, 2022

Does it shift into gear at all, or just grind?

If it doesn't shift at all now, but did shift well before, it may be the disc is rust stuck to the flywheel. Sometimes they can be broken loose by driving with the clutch depressed and rapidly changing the throttle. Once broken loose it should return to normal. Blocking the clutch down between uses will prevent this.

If it grinds only on the initial shift, it could be as simple as idling too fast. Also low oil level in the transmission will cause the transmission to free spin longer than usual. The oil acts as a damper. Old oil will not be a factor, but if it's water contaminated it needs changing.

Moderate drag, but still useable is usually a sign of a worn clutch, failing pressure plate, a failing pilot bearing, or failing release linkage as Royce said.

If you replace the clutch, be careful not to let the weight of the engine hang on the input shaft, and do not attempt to force the engine and transmission to mate up by tightening the bolts. Either can damage a new clutch!

WALTER GORMAN · Oct 29, 2022

Thanks for your response....it does shift. I idle it down in order to get it to shift.

The fluid looks milky and I've never changed the fluid since I've had the tractor(12years)....I'm gonna change the fluid and hope this corrects the problem.

I'm trying to avoid splitting the tractor.

Thanx again

Walter

WALTER GORMAN · Oct 29, 2022

Thanks for your response Royse
I'm gonna change the fluid and hope this helps
Appreciate your help....Walter

gears grinding Ford 8n

WALTER GORMAN

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Royse

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Steve@Advance

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WALTER GORMAN

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