JD 350B Steering Clutch Adjustment

[Bercar83]

I’m working on a 350B with manual steering. We have replaced both steering clutches with bimetallic, overhauled all the linkages and replaced any part that was worn. The problem I’m running into is, if I set the clutch fingers using the ENGINE tab on the JD7 gauge (15/16 off drum) as stated on the book, I can’t release the clutch. By setting them at that adjustment there’s about a 3/8” gap between the throwout bearing and fingers with the fork released from the linkage. If I follow adjustment procedure, I run out of threads on the top clutch link adjustment and still end up with 14” of free play on the levers. By that point I don’t have enough travel left in the clutch for to disengage the clutch. I did try setting the clutch fingers at 1-1/8” above the drum, but even at full adjustment of the top link I still end up with 9” of free play on the levers.

Again, everything is tight and installed by the book.

Is there any case with the 350’s where using the steering tab (1.5”) is necessary?

 

[JD Dave]

I cannot answer your question. Someone may chime in. You may want to post your question on JDCRAWLERS.COM. It's a great source of information on these machines.

 

[Jim.ME]

I’m working on a 350B with manual steering. We have replaced both steering clutches with bimetallic, overhauled all the linkages and replaced any part that was worn. The problem I’m running into is, if I set the clutch fingers using the ENGINE tab on the JD7 gauge (15/16 off drum) as stated on the book, I can’t release the clutch. By setting them at that adjustment there’s about a 3/8” gap between the throwout bearing and fingers with the fork released from the linkage. If I follow adjustment procedure, I run out of threads on the top clutch link adjustment and still end up with 14” of free play on the levers. By that point I don’t have enough travel left in the clutch for to disengage the clutch. I did try setting the clutch fingers at 1-1/8” above the drum, but even at full adjustment of the top link I still end up with 9” of free play on the levers.

Again, everything is tight and installed by the book.

Is there any case with the 350’s where using the steering tab (1.5”) is necessary?

Did you verify the stack height was correct? Not all aftermarket steering clutch parts are correct and if the stack height is not correct it might not adjust correctly.

 

[ET]

The jd 7 gauge is the right gauge but there is a different set point for the steering clutch fingers. You don't use the engine clutch adjustment point.

 

[Bercar83]

The jd 7 gauge is the right gauge but there is a different set point for the steering clutch fingers. You don't use the engine clutch adjustment point.

Thats what we were thinking, but both of the manuals we have state to use the ENGINE measurement for the steering clutch and not the steering measurement. According to the book, that steering measurement is only for the 1010.

 

[Bercar83]

Did you verify the stack height was correct? Not all aftermarket steering clutch parts are correct and if the stack height is not correct it might not adjust correctly.

Yes, stack heights are correct. We had no issue adjusting the fingers. The problem is coming in with the distance between the throwout bearing and the fingers. By the time that gap it taken up were out of fork travel, and way past top link adjustment. So I don’t know if I should ignore the book and set the clutch fingers to 1.5” using the steering mark and try it. It seems odd that everything I’m finding specifically states to NOT use the steering measurement and use the ENGINE measurement instead for all 350’s.

 

[ET]

Thats what we were thinking, but both of the manuals we have state to use the ENGINE measurement for the steering clutch and not the steering measurement. According to the book, that steering measurement is only for the

Have you tried adjusting the fingers to the steering mark on the gauge regardless of what the book says? You seem to be running out of options.

 

[Bercar83]

Have you tried adjusting the fingers to the steering mark on the gauge regardless of what the book says? You seem to be running out of options.

Not yet, I’ll probably measure the gap between the throwout bearing and the fingers first. What I don’t want to do is set it to tight and not have adjustment later when the discs wear in.