520 - clutch will not engage after bearing change???

[davidrz]

Installed a new belt pulley bearing on my 1958 520. Now, after putting everything back it will not engage. I can hardly move the clutch handle, it is very hard. Nothing happens.

I had taken the belt pully completely off several times before and have put everything back without a problem. This time I took everthing off, took out the old bearing and installed a new one. Got the new bearing through John Deere dealer and is exactly like the old one.

The new bearing is all the way in as it should be. The bearing retainer is all the way in also. However, when I put back all the facings, riveted disc, and the final adjusting disc, I barely now have enough room to start the adjusting castle nuts. And the engaging clutch handle will not move.

Have taken it apart several times and the diagrams and instructions in the JD manuals, but still have the problem.

Appreciate any advice and assistance. Help!!

Thank you. David
 

[Tyler-MO]

David,
It sounds like one of two things could be happening. First, is the drive disk on the crankshaft going on all the way (about a 1/4 inch of difference between the end of the crank and face of the drive disk is normal)?
I've had an instance in the past where there was part of a broken clutch facing getting out of the pulley groove behind the drive disk which caused a similar problem to yours.

Secondly, it soulds like your clutch operating sleeve isn't moving into position properly. Could it be that one of the toggles slipped out of socket during the bearing change operation? How about the clutch drive pin in the operating sleeve?
These are all points that could potentially bind causing the symptoms you describe.

One thing on these clutches is that the geometry all must be together...one thing out of whack will prevent any effective adjustment.

My thoughts as simple as it may sound, would be to grab the parts catalog and go over all the clutch parts and doulbe check the proper order...we've all had similar things happen over the years.
 

[Dodgeit]

[1949ABG]

I wish you luck. I did the very same thing to my A, and had your exact problem after putting it back together. I took it apart 3 times, and put it back 3 times. Same thing. I was ready to roll it down a big hill. But, I did it again, figuring it's something simple.

I'm not sure what I did different, but the 4th time everything worked as it should. I would SWEAR I did it the same every time, but apparently not. Just be extra cautious about each and every possible step. It'll fall into line sooner or later.
 

[oakley21550]

I hate to admit this but I had my 730 clutch apart awhile back and upon reassembling it (about six or eight attempts)could not get it to adjust. It went together but could not adjust the clutch disk adjuster. Finally realized that I was installing the disks on the clutch operating bolts instead of the clutch drive pins. This is what happens when you don"t pay attention how things came apart because you have done them several times before.