D4-7U Oil in Steering Clutch Housing D4-7U SE# 10164 1950

D4Jim

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Location: NW Kansas

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The left steering clutch was slipping some the other day when doing some serious dozing and putting the full load on each track. When pulling straight, it held ok but when I pulled the right clutch the left track would not spin. The right track would spin when I clutched the left track. It was in heavy dry dirt similar to concrete and very hard. 😆

I took off the cover and adjusted the lever toggle etc but it seemed about right but I loosened it a little more anyway. Then I drained the clutch housings, and I got about a half gallon of oil out of the right and the left clutch housing that should be dry. I am sure that much oil would allow some to get onto the clutches as I was in some very steep inclines while working. I have had the cat about 15 years (probably 700 hours of my time) and I know I never drained those housings and I wonder if any previous owners drained it. Anyway, with that much oil in the housing, is there maybe something else seriously wrong with the machine or just lackluster maintenance on my part?

Any advice or help is appreciated!! 👍

Cats Forever

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Wed, Sep 19, 2012 2:08 AM

PaulA

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Was that all oil, or was it mixed with water? I just drained the steering clutches on my d47u a few weeks ago after who knows how many years and I had gallons of mostly water mixed with some oil coming out. The clutches seemed OK, but the brakes were pretty contaminated. Depending on what came out of there you might need to wash the brakes/clutches. Also be sure the adjustments are correct; the yokes should be loose and you should have 3 inches of free play at the top of the lever before the clutch starts to disengage.

If none of that works, you might have to end up rebuilding the clutches.

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Wed, Sep 19, 2012 3:05 AM

Old Magnet

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Reply to PaulA:

Was that all oil, or was it mixed with water? I just drained the steering clutches on my d47u a few weeks ago after who knows how many years and I had gallons of mostly water mixed with some oil coming out. The clutches seemed OK, but the brakes were pretty contaminated. Depending on what came out of there you might need to wash the brakes/clutches. Also be sure the adjustments are correct; the yokes should be loose and you should have 3 inches of free play at the top of the lever before the clutch starts to disengage.

If none of that works, you might have to end up rebuilding the clutches.

I'd be more concerned about where the oil is coming from. Leaking cross shaft seals and/or final drive pinion seals or maybe over lubing the clutch release bearings. What compartments have been needing makeup?

The steering clutch compartments are known rain makers due to condensation or you may have leaking covers.

I though just about everybody knew and has gone to the cotter key wiggler in the drain plugs.

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Wed, Sep 19, 2012 3:55 AM

D4Jim

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Reply to PaulA:

Was that all oil, or was it mixed with water? I just drained the steering clutches on my d47u a few weeks ago after who knows how many years and I had gallons of mostly water mixed with some oil coming out. The clutches seemed OK, but the brakes were pretty contaminated. Depending on what came out of there you might need to wash the brakes/clutches. Also be sure the adjustments are correct; the yokes should be loose and you should have 3 inches of free play at the top of the lever before the clutch starts to disengage.

If none of that works, you might have to end up rebuilding the clutches.

Paul, nothing but good old black oil, no water. I can't figure out where that much oil came from as the finals and tranny levels are fine. There was very little rust on the lid to the compartment but with that much oil in there no surprise I guess.

I did notice the bearing on the left trunion has been rubbing on the cover. From the parts book it is an eight roller bearing 3B568. I wonder if it can be replaced from the top without replacing the outer race as it is sure not a high speed application?? 😆

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Wed, Sep 19, 2012 3:56 AM

D4Jim

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Reply to D4Jim:

Paul, nothing but good old black oil, no water. I can't figure out where that much oil came from as the finals and tranny levels are fine. There was very little rust on the lid to the compartment but with that much oil in there no surprise I guess.

I did notice the bearing on the left trunion has been rubbing on the cover. From the parts book it is an eight roller bearing 3B568. I wonder if it can be replaced from the top without replacing the outer race as it is sure not a high speed application?? 😆

OM, I don't remember ever adding oil to the final drive or the transmission. I lube the clutch release bearings every time I use it and only use a few drops of oil but I suppose a few drops 40 times a year for 40 years is a lot of oil. Now that you mention it that could be the culprit as I usually give them a few drops every time I get on the Cat even though i maybe only drove it a couple hours the previous time. Maybe I need to take the oil can off the tractor!! :redface:

I drilled out the main clutch compartment drain and went the cotter key route on it a long ago but never thought about the steering clutch compartments. Good idea to do that to them too.

On an old machine like mine I check oil levels in everything at least every 10 to 15 hours, even finals. Just a habit I guess as lack of oil or lube can cause many problems.

On covers like the clutch cover, I put a thin layer of gun grease on the old gasket to keep out water and dirt and only replace the gasket if it gets torn.

Thanks for the help! 👍

Cats Forever

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Wed, Sep 19, 2012 4:16 AM

Missile

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Reply to Old Magnet:

I'd be more concerned about where the oil is coming from. Leaking cross shaft seals and/or final drive pinion seals or maybe over lubing the clutch release bearings. What compartments have been needing makeup?

The steering clutch compartments are known rain makers due to condensation or you may have leaking covers.

I though just about everybody knew and has gone to the cotter key wiggler in the drain plugs.

[quote="Old Magnet"]I'd be more concerned about where the oil is coming from. Leaking cross shaft seals and/or final drive pinion seals or maybe over lubing the clutch release bearings. What compartments have been needing makeup?

The steering clutch compartments are known rain makers due to condensation or you may have leaking covers.

I though just about everybody knew and has gone to the cotter key wiggler in the drain plugs.[/quote]

Can I get a pic of this cotter key wiggler in the drain plug

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Wed, May 10, 2017 8:55 PM

drujinin

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Reply to Missile:

[quote="Old Magnet"]I'd be more concerned about where the oil is coming from. Leaking cross shaft seals and/or final drive pinion seals or maybe over lubing the clutch release bearings. What compartments have been needing makeup?

The steering clutch compartments are known rain makers due to condensation or you may have leaking covers.

I though just about everybody knew and has gone to the cotter key wiggler in the drain plugs.[/quote]

Can I get a pic of this cotter key wiggler in the drain plug

Basically you take the drain plugs out and drill a 3/16" or 1/4" hole straight through the drain plug, then put an 1/8" diameter cotter pin in the hole. Spread it and screw it back in. If you followed these poor directions you should end up with the ring of the cotter pin hanging down underneath your tractor.
Word of Caution:
If you run it without the plugs installed mud will pack up that hole and driving through water will distribute it around inside. When its parked Mice will crawl up inside there and nest and pee all over ruining everything!
So:
If you know you are going to be playing in the mud and water, remove the modified drain plugs and install some pipe plugs to prevent the water from getting in.

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Thu, May 11, 2017 6:35 AM

D4-7U Oil in Steering Clutch Housing D4-7U SE# 10164 1950

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