Old Cat D5 Steeering Brake Problem

[JimHam]

I have a 1974 Cat D5 that has developed a problem with the right steering brake. I have the original manuals and have tried adjusting exactly as described in the manual but even though I have tried it multiple times it does not help. The D5 has access panels behind the seat and on the rear of the case. I can see the brake adjustment nut and the threads. The left brake which works fine has about an inch of adjustment thread left. The right one which is not working is tightened almost all the way down with no threads showing. I can get the right brake to work for a short time by tightening the adjustment nut but it doesn't work for long. The brake material on the band is about 3/8 of an inch thick on both the left and right brake shoes so they are not worn out. A friend who works in the industry said sometimes the pin that goes through the eyes on the end of the break shoes will break and then you cannot adjust the breaks no matter what you do. Sounds like it might be my problem. Can the brakes be repaired via the access panels or will the right side tracks and the housings have to be taken off to work on this? I am not a mechanic so I could use some advice. Looks like an expensive repair if the right side has to be disassembled.

 

[JimHam]

Another thing - The right brake pedal goes all the way down till it hits the wall below the steering clutch. The left will adjust and I have it adjusted to the spec in the manual. That tells me something is broken or loose in the right linkage somewhere. All the linkages I can see are intact.

 

[AJ.]

Look on top of the clutch housing you will see an oblong plate with four 1/2 bolts in a square pattern in the middle,3/4 wrench size check to see the bolts are tight and the bolts that hold the plate are tight,see all the linkage is intact,when making any adjustments to the clutches or brakes it is the clutch adjustment that is done first,disengage both clutches with the tractor in drive it should stand still without applying the brakes,it is possible and normal that one brake can be worn more than the other as lots of drivers tend to work the side that suites them best,I have seen bands to come apart,break,anchor to come loose,it is possible to change the band through the openings of the dry clutch machine,the clutches have to come out of the wet clutch machine.
AJ

 

[ANTIQUE DOZER BOB]

(quoted from post at 19:03:18 11/24/18) Another thing - The right brake pedal goes all the way down till it hits the wall below the steering clutch. The left will adjust and I have it adjusted to the spec in the manual. That tells me something is broken or loose in the right linkage somewhere. All the linkages I can see are intact.

color=black:b0ce88bf99][/color:b0ce88bf99]

IF THIS IS A DRY BRAKE WHICH BY YEAR MODEL YOU INDICATED
IT SHOULD BE, IT WILL HAVE A 3-PIECE BOLT TOGETHER BAND.
THE BRAKES CAN BE REPLACED WITHOUT A LOT OF HASSLE.
THERE ARE NUTS ON EXTERIOR OF BAND WHICH BOLT THEM TOGETHER. TRICK IS GETTING THE ANCHOR PINS AND THE LEVER OUT. I WOULD RECOMMEND PURCHASING A SERVICE MANUAL FOR YOUR SERIAL NUMBER. IT WILL BE INVALUABLE TO YOU AS MOST COMPONENTS HAVE THEIR SET PROCEDURES FOR REMOVAL AND ASSEMBLY. YOU CAN FIND USED MANUALS ON LINE.