John Deere M Final Drive assembly

[george baker]

Can anyone give me advice on assembling the final drive and brake assembly on a 1948 JD M I am planning to reuse the bearings, they look good. Is that a good idea. Any tips on brake adjustment? Any help is appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[jCarroll]

Make SURE that tractor is blocked securely to keep it from tipping sideways.

There is a weep hole in the bottom of the axle housing to let oil drip out before it gets to the brakes. make sure it is cleaned out.

 

[d. coleman]

while you have the final drives off, be sure and change the seals in differantial bearing carriers. manual calls out a shimming proceedure for clearance between brake disk and caliper. if you dont have enough shims as i didnt, i used aircraft washers(smaller outside diamenter and thick and thin avaiable) to get into ball park then divided shims among the 6 points to get required clearance at the three referance check points. if you go to a airport repair facility to find washers, be sure and get steel or stainless and NOT aluminun. good luck, d.coleman