Transmission 101

[Climb On!]

Tough to shift and squeels when the clutch is engaged... Nothing to keep me from operating it, but not sure what is the problem. I know its basically a tractor, so is it always tough to shift...how tough is too tough? Do I just need to adjust the clutch...it doesn't feel sloppy and about an inch of play in the pedal.

That's the extent of my investigation into it though. What do I need to look for and test for to see if I can smoothen it out?

 

[Michael Mayben]

An inch of pedal free-play? Your clutch May not be releasing completely when the pedal is depressed all the way.

Try and adjust the free-play to 1/4" and see if that improves shifting. That is just a "test" spec to see what happens.

No doubt the clutch disc is worn if it's not been replaced in the last 20 years! As it becomes "thinner", the pressure plate travel has to increase, which in turn kinda upsets the relationship between the pressure plate and the flywheel (with the disc squeezed in between), so ya have to adjust pedal travel to compensate. But ya can go only so far until the clutch starts slipping even though you have plenty of pedal free play adjusted in. Ya don't wanna let it go too long if slipping, other wise ya could damage the flywheel to the point it can't be resurfaced.

As for shifting, have ya changed the tranny lube since ya got the rig? If not, ya May improve shifting (if the clutch is not creating a harsh shift situation) by doing so. Same for the transfer case lube.

 

[Climb On!]

1/4" pedal play...got it. I'll let you know if it affects things.

I have done a complete lube job, so new fluids all around.

Oh, and reverse can be a bear at times...