641 Clutch Throw-Out Bearing

[mooboy]

For the past two years the throw-out bearing squeaks whenever the clutch pedal is depressed. The clutch is otherwise strong. This tractor gets used about 40-50 hours a year mowing, tedding, raking hay. Any downside to use as-is till clutch fails? I have never split a tractor before. How hard is it?

 

[showcrop]

I would say that it squeaks because it is seized and not turning, so the fingers are riding on the surface. I wouldn't worry about using it for the rest of the season, because you will be replacing the fingers with the clutch, but I would get after it once you are done for the season. Splitting these is not a big job. Plan on new trans input bearing and seal while in there. Some one posted a few months back about using a trailer jack with a fabbed bracket to hold up the back end and make it easier to push it back. I plan to do that for my next split. get a manual and there will be plenty of advice here.

 

[reb-in-pa]

mooboy --

How do you know it's the throwout bearing that's squeaking? I think that, if that bearing were getting dry, it wouldn't be squeaking. It would be more of a scraping or grinding sound. However, there is a pair of springs on the throwout bearing that could be dry enough to squeak. And, I wouldn't worry too much about that. At 40-50 hours of use a year, it'll probably be about another 200 years before the wear would create an operating problem.

Each of the fingers on the pressure plate has a pivot point that could possibly squeak, but the 200-year rule would apply there, too.
On the other hand, if you want to split the tractor to diagnose/fix, it's not that bad if you can support the front and back halves when they come apart, and if you have patience and a little common sense to undo and re-do a bunch of bolts and screws and whatever. Read and follow the manual.

Good luck.

reb

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 04:43:50 08/07/12) mooboy --

How do you know it's the throwout bearing that's squeaking? I think that, if that bearing were getting dry, it wouldn't be squeaking. It would be more of a scraping or grinding sound. However, there is a pair of springs on the throwout bearing that could be dry enough to squeak. And, I wouldn't worry too much about that. At 40-50 hours of use a year, it'll probably be about another 200 years before the wear would create an operating problem.

Each of the fingers on the pressure plate has a pivot point that could possibly squeak, but the 200-year rule would apply there, too.
On the other hand, if you want to split the tractor to diagnose/fix, it's not that bad if you can support the front and back halves when they come apart, and if you have patience and a little common sense to undo and re-do a bunch of bolts and screws and whatever. Read and follow the manual.

Good luck.

reb

A throw out bearing that is dry of grease will squeal like a pig when the clutch pedal is depressed. No questions about what needs fixin' when you hear that sound.

 

[reb-in-pa]

If your "squeak" is really a high pitched "squeal," then I agree that the throwout bearing is the likely culprit and that it can't wait too much longer. Squeak = relax; squeal = get out your manual and hoists.

Good luck.

reb

 

[john_Bud]

(quoted from post at 03:56:43 08/07/12) For the past two years the throw-out bearing squeaks whenever the clutch pedal is depressed. The clutch is otherwise strong. This tractor gets used about 40-50 hours a year mowing, tedding, raking hay. Any downside to use as-is till clutch fails? I have never split a tractor before. How hard is it?

It's not hard, but you will thank yourself if you do it on a hard surface like cement. You need to have a fair selection of jacks, stands and maybe even a engine hoist. I happen to have those things and they make getting the alignment just right a lot easier.

On a 640 loader tractor a buddy owns, I did the split, and new clutch with new trans input shaft seal and surfacing the flywheel in about 8-10 hours. The inside of the bell housing was gooey and cleaning that up took time. That was working alone. With help you can either knock off a couple hours or quadruple the time, depending on the helpers!

There is no real down side to just running it till death occurs. Except when I do that, it usually dies while crossing a mug bog with a heavy attachment on the back in a field where I can't get a truck out to it! Oh and it's usually before a rain that turns to sleet! That's why I prefer to plan the repairs for when I have the time and can pressure wash everything first and have it all clean and dry. Makes life much easier that way.

 

[36 Coupe]

A bad bearing can ruin the pressure plate.

 

[mooboy]

How hard is it to replace the transmission input shaft bearing? Is there any adjustment involved?