Brake problem - One pedal not working?

[Johnny Glenn]

Thnaks for looking in - I've got a 88 Ford 555B and one brake pedal goes to the floor with no resistance and therefore no braking. I've looked underneath and everything is connected and moving properly but no brake? The other pedal is working fine. Thanks for any advice -- I do have a service manual but not sure where to start w/ diagnostic.

 

[JC-jetro]

Have you tried to adjust the brake to take off some of the slack? Jack that side up and securely support the side not working on jack stand. have some one help you, you turn the wheel and have him brake, see if you hear grinding or not. Your brake pad might have been gone or got too much slack. use process of elimination to find some clues before breaking things apart if you can.

JC,

 

[jinman]

I can't really help a bunch, but here is an illustration to use for reference on your brakes. You can use it to see how they are mechanized internally.

 

[boggen]

newholland website is slow for me. so i just go through the company i bought from website. for a quick link to new hollands part catalog...

Construction Equipment-Backhoes-Mini Excavators-Skid Steers-Pat Kelly-MO
then click down in middle of page
New! New Holland Online Parts Catalog
type in 555b into search
then click plus signs to see different views of the brake.

p.s. same image as what jinman posted. but gives some part numbers.

there are different manuals for the tractors, i have found that the "shop manual" which is like 2 to 3 phone books thick for my ford 555c. has been well worth the money, gives pretty good diagnostic info and how to set things (even tear things apart and putting back together and diagnostics with each step), the operators manual not much to it.

then combined with the online parts catalog, it narrows things down pretty easily. and if i order parts, having the part number from the online catalog saves time of not getting correct part due to over the phone order.

 

[jinman]

The type of brake mechanism that the 555B has is pretty common. Pressing a pedal moves a plate inside the brake mechanism that rolls up steel balls in a ramp channel (it looks like 6 in the diagram) causing pressure against a brake disc. My guess is the mechanism is broken or loose inside the housing or the steel balls may be gummed up and not rolling as they should.

 

[RickB]

It is a mechanical wet disc brake system. It is either out of adjustment (most likely) worn out (possible) or an internal linkage part is broken (not very likely). This assumes that the external linkage is intact and functional as the OP says.

Adjust at reference #'s 21 and 22 on each side until pedals are balanced and have 1-1/2" to 2" of free travel

 

[leen]

jinman I have a 555C the brakes went out on pedal on both sides any suggestions? Are the brakes inside the housing or external? Let me know any thoughts about what to do. Any place to get manual that tells how to fix or trouble shoot the 555C. Also need to know how to fix throttle cable it no longer works.
Danny