Split My TC45 Today

[cpayne5]

Yeah, I realize it will wear quicker, but I think I'm OK with that - ask me in a year! Ha. Even if it lasts half as long as the original clutch, it will be good for 5 years, probably.

The new release bearing is dimensionally identical to the old one. I don't think there's a good way to shim the bearing on the hub.

According to my micrometer, I shimmed it 1.68mm.

I initially tried .84mm, but it didn't work. I think the release bearing was pressing the fingers in far enough to release tension, but the fingers were then making contact with the clutch itself, which obviously isn't a good scenario. Not sure what other option I have with the current parts, besides sending them back and sourcing something else. I don't really want to shell out the cash for New Holland parts (>$750 for the clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing - while I paid $250 for my current setup). I'm just going to roll with it. I'll get it back together enough to do a test drive in the next couple of days, and if all goes well, I'm done with it.

On the positive side, my alignment tool worked great - both shafts slid right in without issue!

 

[JC-jetro]

Great, you are a well informed individual and do the risk benefit analysis. Depending on the operator and use of the tractor the clutch can last a very long time. My 40 year old Ford 1700 has never been split for a clutch change and I still have more than 90% of OEM disk thickness left. I think you will be fine if you check it under load and if it did not slip. Rubber covered inspection hand hole on the side of bell housing is an awesome simple design.

 

[cpayne5]

I had a few minutes to spend on it today and all's well. I got it back together enough to do a test drive and the clutch felt great. It's no longer "slip...slip...go", but now "grab & go". I got the body panels back on tonight. I still need to get the FEL subframe reinstalled.

 

[JC-jetro]

Awsome, was looking forward to "Mission Accomplished" statement.:thumbsup: I'll probably have to do it at some time after 40years Mine will be easier as 1700 is not very heavy or big and I don't have FEL on the Ford. Fortunately same parts are shared among many of the ford 1000 series so it is readily and economically available from Fleabay.

 

[cpayne5]

Got the tractor out and moved a bunch of round bales today without issue. So, it sure seems like "mission accomplished".

 

[JC-jetro]

"Awsome":thumbsup:

You know that" The secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions"

 

[fried1765]

Yeah, I realize it will wear quicker, but I think I'm OK with that - ask me in a year! Ha. Even if it lasts half as long as the original clutch, it will be good for 5 years, probably.

The new release bearing is dimensionally identical to the old one. I don't think there's a good way to shim the bearing on the hub.

According to my micrometer, I shimmed it 1.68mm.

I initially tried .84mm, but it didn't work. I think the release bearing was pressing the fingers in far enough to release tension, but the fingers were then making contact with the clutch itself, which obviously isn't a good scenario. Not sure what other option I have with the current parts, besides sending them back and sourcing something else. I don't really want to shell out the cash for New Holland parts (>$750 for the clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing - while I paid $250 for my current setup). I'm just going to roll with it. I'll get it back together enough to do a test drive in the next couple of days, and if all goes well, I'm done with it.

On the positive side, my alignment tool worked great - both shafts slid right in without issue!

I don't mean to scare you, but my aftermarket clutch lasted exactly 2.5 hours before it failed (finger bolt broke - Chinese).
I will never buy aftermarket internal engine or internal drive train parts again!
If I had bought parts from Messick's, I would have very likely not needed to do the split twice!
2 splits would have most likely cost $2,000 each if done by a dealer.

 

[cpayne5]

I don't mean to scare you, but my aftermarket clutch lasted exactly 2.5 hours before it failed (finger bolt broke - Chinese).
I will never buy aftermarket internal engine or internal drive train parts again!
If I had bought parts from Messick's, I would have very likely not needed to do the split twice!

Failures happen. You just have to weigh the risk/reward. I'm comfortable with the current situation.

 

[Dataway]

I just finishing reassembling my 1715 and a new clutch ... aftermarket plate and disk, NH release bearing and pilot bearing. Ran into the same thing as far as pedal travel. I was able to use every bit of the pedal adjustment and got enough to comfortably disengage the clutch. Not sure about your model but the 1715 has two holes in the clutch release arm .... i could have used the hole closer to the pivot to get even more pedal, but it becomes much harder to push the pedal.

The "import" pressure plate appeared identical to the NH piece ... made in India I think ... a very good chance the original NH part was also made in India also, fingers appeared every bit as robust at the NH parts. In retrospect I probably didn't need to replace the pressure plate and disk, they were rusty but appeared OK with very little wear on the disk. The dealer said they replaced the clutch before right before I bought it .... only about 150 hours ago. It was the release bearing that was trashed .... I replaced it at about 75 hours after I bought the tractor with a cheap replacement ... that failed, so this time I put a NH bearing in it ... noticeably better quality and of a slightly different design than the cheaper replacements.

Time will tell, but the clutch is quieter now that it has ever been, even the day I bought it.