D-5 96J Steering Clutch Issue

My D-5 steering clutch doesn't release on the left side. I took the bid cover off and everything seems to be moving like it should. The adjustment appears to be tightened as far as it can go. If the fibers are worn badly wouldn't the clutch slip? Any ideas ????Thanks

Yes, wear to the frictions and separator plates results in ......First, decreased free travel and Then if no adjustment is done, eventually the clutch pack is held open a little and will start to slip under a load. This is usually noticed when you pull the opposite steering clutch lever and the tractor just stops instead of turning.

I don't think the power boosted controls are going to give you much feel for free travel, but there needs to be a little or at least a complete release of hydraulic pressure that would disengage the clutch. That would do it assuming the tractor still uses the standard spring tension clutch pack arrangement they designed back in the 1930's.

Can you watch the clutch pack open up, compressing the springs? Is it a wet clutch, running in oil?

What's the history of this machine and this problem?

Sudden failure during use vs a long period of no use followed by the clutch being discovered to be seized? Dry steering clutches and dry clutches in general are known to seize during periods of disuse. Might be able to work it and get it to break loose if it's that type of failure.