Farmall A Trans

[Gary(VA)]

I split the A today. It had a constant noise in the trans any time the clutch is out, even in neutral. The bearings on in the main shaft didn't seem terrible but I'll replace them anyway. As I spun in manually in neutral it seemed like the reverse idler gear(at least that's what I call it) was noisy. I took it out and using a cheap dial caliber the shaft didn't seem to have a wear area and measuring the inside of the gear it seemed like it had about 3 thousands clearance. That didn't seem bad to me but once it's on the shaft it seem like there's a fair amount of wear. Anyone have advice on this trans?

 

[khouse6]

uh, could be the clutch pilot bearing. (the throw out bearing makes a noise , when clutch pedal is pressed and clutch pilot is opposite) as i remember

 

[old]

Never have had an A or B that the transmission didn't make a bit of noise it is just how they are. If you run 85W-140 i them that helps plus add some graphite

 

[Janicholson]

Part #40 in the image is an oil slinger made from aluminum like material. It is driven from the top shaft all the time. it has a history of failure and cracking at the hub. It is designed to sling trans oil onto the top shaft when the tractor is used as a stationary PTO power unit. Without it (in neutral) the top shaft has no direct lubrication because the bottom shaft is stationary, not getting oil to the top through splash/casual gear pumping. I think the reverse intermediate gear bushing part (#33 in the image) may be available. That gear should have more like .0015 to .002 Clearance. Carefully check the slinger for cracks and damage. There are some sources for them, but they are not cheap.
Parts Illustration

 

[used red MN]

Suggestion of pilot bearing for clutch is a incorrect diagnosis. This transmission is not designed with a split main or upper shaft, so the main shaft is not ..piloted.. with a bearing internal to the transmission like an H, M or many later variants. An internal trans pilot bearing could make a noise in neutral, which could be what the poster was referring to. But that does not apply to your A.

 

[Gary(VA)]

Thanks for the reply 's. It sounded like it was in the area of the reverse idler side. I'll check out the oil slinger too.

 

[khouse6]

is there not a pilot bearing/bushing in the rear of the crankshaft?

 

[Janicholson]

Yes, but that does not play into noise as both the bearing and shaft are turning at the same speed. Jim

 

[used red MN]

khouse6, yes it has a pilot bearing in the crankshaft to center or ..pilot.. the input shaft and clutch plate in the clutch. The OP says ..It had a constant noise in the trans any time the clutch is out.. Any time the clutch is out or engaged the clutch pilot bearing it not moving or rolling as in the normal purpose of a bearing. The input shaft that the has its pilot end in the pilot bushing is turning the same speed as the flywheel and crankshaft. This is because the clutch plate spline driving the input shaft the same speed as everything, due to the clutch plate is sandwiched between the flywheel and clutch pressure plate. An easier way is to explain when the clutch pilot bearing is in action. That is when the clutch is down or released and the clutch plate has slowed to a speed less then the flywheel or crankshaft. Best I can explain it, ..clutch out noise.. can hardly come from the clutch pilot bearing.

 

[gene bender]

TYhe input bearing in the front can make for noisy tranys i have found

 

[Rick Remmert]

I have a 53' Super C that was making the same noise you are talking about. After posting on here about the noise, Jan said he thought it may be the oil slinger gear. After a complete tear down, Jan was correct. You can see in the picture that the hub is broken all around the hub. They are made out of what I call pot metal.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

"Noise" is a vague term. What kind of noise? Grinding? Clunking? Whining? Wirring? Creaking? Groaning?

A consistent whine is normal.

Thing is you can spend well more than the tractor will ever be worth replacing everything, only to get it all back together and find that it has the same whine or worse.

 

[WellWorn]

First thing I learned as a noob in a machine shop was that calipers, even good ones, are only good for guestimates. If you want to check anything of the precision of gears and shafts, you need micrometers, telescoping gauges or pin gauges, and you need practice in using those tools to have the right "feel" to get good and consistent measurements.

Next, every gear system has some noise, just by the nature of the beast. Some were whiny from the factory as I've heard the letter series Farmalls tended to be. The issues becomes "how much noise indicates something wrong"? And if one bearing has gone bad, expect the rest in the system to be right behind in failure - replace them all. Especially if you find metallic glitter in the oil. But you probably know that.

I try to remember that there are people who read these posts who never post, and who have far less experience than most of us here. Everyone has to start from somewhere, and even at my advanced age, I'm still figuring out things I didn't know I didn't know, if ya-know-what-I-mean.