Left Brake Locking up

Tim_in_IA · Feb 10, 2020

on my 6500 4wd my left brake has started locking up. If I pull the pedal back it seems to be ok for a while. The spring seems to still be ok on the pedal. Ideas on where to start troubleshooting? It is fairly dangerous when I am working and all of a sudden it steers off in another direction than what I am expecting.

Thank you

Roadworthy · Feb 10, 2020

If you can pull the pedal manually and have the brake release your spring may have weakened over time. I'd start by replacing both with new springs.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2020

Not having any idea what type of braking system you have, just guessing.

Assuming hydraulic brakes? Also assuming internal oil bath brakes? Not much can go wrong in there unless the tractor has a gazillion hours on it.

Maybe the pedal swivel is dry and binding? Do they have a grease zerk on them at the swivel point? Do the pedals return easily when you take your foot off? Does the right one return as it should and the left one not? That might indicate a swivel problem.

If they are not power brakes, the left side will have more linkage to deal with and more chance of binding.

I'd start by tracing the left brake from pedal to activator.

Tim_in_IA · Feb 10, 2020

ovrszd said:
Not having any idea what type of braking system you have, just guessing.

Assuming hydraulic brakes? Also assuming internal oil bath brakes? Not much can go wrong in there unless the tractor has a gazillion hours on it.

Maybe the pedal swivel is dry and binding? Do they have a grease zerk on them at the swivel point? Do the pedals return easily when you take your foot off? Does the right one return as it should and the left one not? That might indicate a swivel problem.

If they are not power brakes, the left side will have more linkage to deal with and more chance of binding.

I'd start by tracing the left brake from pedal to activator.

Richard, yes left side is the issue. I've traced it through and to the other side. No visible zirk on the pivot that I could see but I'll check again. Spring looked ok but may be weak. Just doesn't seem to want to return every time. Stop pad is missing on pedal but that shouldn't really matter might just make a noise when it returns. They are wet disk brakes.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2020

Tim_in_IA said:
Richard, yes left side is the issue. I've traced it through and to the other side. No visible zirk on the pivot that I could see but I'll check again. Spring looked ok but may be weak. Just doesn't seem to want to return every time. Stop pad is missing on pedal but that shouldn't really matter might just make a noise when it returns. They are wet disk brakes.

So if you work the pedal by hand it freely moves?

Reb954 · Feb 10, 2020

Is there a reason you don't have the two brake pedals locked together?

As others have mentioned, springs and lubrication could be the issue but it still pays to lock the two pedals together unless you specifically need to use them separate.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2020

Only time I lock my pedals together is when trailering. Allows me to lock both brakes with a one pedal locking mechanism.

Why would you want your brake pedals locked together?

Reb954 · Feb 10, 2020

To even out the wear on both brakes.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2020

Reb954 said:
To even out the wear on both brakes.

Wet brakes wear at such a slow rate that you'd never notice the difference. If that's important, when applying the brakes center your foot on both pedals. Then you have the freedom to select either wheel by moving your foot slightly one way or the other if the pedals are unlocked. And you can use them for steering brakes which was the original idea.