3550 brakes - adjusting nut is frozen

CrosbyFamilyFarm · Oct 30, 2013

I've been getting a horrible low pitch whine when I apply the brakes (initially I thought the wife saw me on my tractor again). I have to depress the pedal almost all the way before I even feel them engage, so I figured i'd do the adjustment to tighten them up. It looks like there is enough play in the bolt that if I were able to move the nut it would be tighter. So this is a two part question. Is the low pitch whine because it's not engaging properly and I need to do the adjustment? And, because it's locked and not responding to the normal penetrating oil, heating with MAP gas, etc, should I cut it off and put a new nut on? It feels dangerous for me to remove brakes from my machine as winter is fast approaching and I need it to plow.

Any suggestions?

TractorTech · Nov 10, 2013

The low pitch whine could be from the oil in the rear end. You may need to put anti-chatter additive in the rear end. It is available through the New Holland dealers.
As far as adjusting the brakes, does the pedal go to the floor. Also, there is a jam nut on the adjuster. Can you see that or is there too much crud on them. If you are going to cut the rod, cut the jam nut off first.