Greetings! I have a new clutch disc for my D4 and when replacing it I found two issues, first the plates front and back, have fine hairline cracks near the center, but the outside edges look ok. The second issue is there is noticeable play in the front transmission shaft.

Question one, given the antique nature of my tractor (1956) and the cost of materials, do I ignore the cracks and put the clutch back together, or is there a cost effective alternative?

Question two, should I change the seal, or can I remove the cover and update a bearing or bushing to remove some of the play? As it is, the leather seal might hold back more oil than a new seal with a wiggley shaft. Opinions are welcome.

Elton

I would replace the seal and bearing on the input shaft. If your going to work your tractor doing allot of back and forth dozing then I'd replace the clutch plate but farming just resurface it and use it.

Thank you! Is there likely to be any issues getting the bearing out, or is it contained in the housing that holds the seal?

Elton

There is a bearing in the cage behind the outer cover the seal is in. And there is another bearing in the pinion itself held in with a snap ring. Check that the bearing is not loose in the pinion, if so and not severely loose use a small amount of locktite or bearing mount on it when installing the new bearing.

When the front cover with the seal is removed then use the two 3/8" threaded holes to push the bearing cage out of the transmission case.

Rome, thanks again! When pulling out the bearing with the 3/8 bolts, is there any possibility of moving something else inside the transmission and loosening up anything or causing other issues? I am not quite ready to get into a transmission rebuild!

Elton

No, the pinion just slides onto the top transmission shaft, since its simple to remove the cage and have it out might as well check and replace inner bearing if needed.

thank you again!

Your welcome Elton!