Ok so I just recently purchased a D4 6U dozer for my property. The machine is it great shape being the year. The only issue is the Left side steering clutch is stuck and only makes Right turns. The guy I bought it from said he hasn't used it in about 6-8 months and before it was parked it worked no problem. I've read some things about soaking the clutch assembly in diesel. Anyone have and recommendations without dissembling the whole setup?

I am no expert but i would try running it in a straight line with the affected steering lever held back and my foot riding the affected clutches brake in order to warm things up. then you might try releasing the main clutch from start to stop over and over again with the steering lever pulled and foot on brake. if that doesn't work then fill with diesel and repeat.

also try pulling a heavy implement while you have the steering clutch lever held back the more torque on it the better---if you have a dozer blade drop it down and push some dirt

Thanks for the advice guys. As of right now I don't have access to the dirt with the dozer because it's at my work inside the shop so I can do some general maintenance and what not. I've driven it a bit though holding back the stuck clutch and making turns and what not. I'll try soaking them a week or 2 and repeat. Do you guys recommend driving it with the diesel in it to get it sloshed all around?

I did with mine--getting the fuel to slosh around helps to get rid of all the crud

Take the drain plugs out of the bottom to drain the water out. Stick your finger up there to feel around for dry rust or wet rust from water or oil. It will give you an idea of what you are dealing with.

Ok so I pulled the plugs out of the bottom today and I got a little bit of water that came out of the stuck side. I poured the diesel in and drove it briefly to get everything all covered. Another question is the little oiler flip cups up top where the cover plate is, I see those go inside where the case is with little funnel tube that are kinda hidden. Should I pour anything into those as well or does that not need anything besides some normal oiling?

"Keltonc87" wrote:

Ok so I pulled the plugs out of the bottom today and I got a little bit of water that came out of the stuck side. I poured the diesel in and drove it briefly to get everything all covered. Another question is the little oiler flip cups up top where the cover plate is, I see those go inside where the case is with little funnel tube that are kinda hidden. Should I pour anything into those as well or does that not need anything besides some normal oiling?

The problem with the cups is that any debris can go around and stop up the funnel, then your bearings don't get any oil. They were upgraded to grease lines in later tractors, parts are backwards compatible.

Oh ok I wasn't sure what they went to. Should I pour some oil in the funnels in the casing near the clutch linkage? I have diesel soaking the clutches now and this weekend I'll run the machine and see what happens. If I can't get it to break free has anyone done a write up on dissembling the clutch to free them up? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still new here. I know all the mechanical side but never worked with this machine before.

So I've let the diesel soak the last 3 weeks with some driving. I tried going forward, reverse, forward, reverse, using under a load pushing dirt and haven't gotten the right side to free up yet so I guess my next step is to dissemble it and take the clutches apart. Does anyone know what size the big nut is on there so I can have a socket ready? Also do I need to replace the clutches that are frozen or can I just clean the rust off them?