D17 Clutch

The clutch on my D17 LP that I bought last winter was stuck and wouldn't release. After extensive soaking with PB Blaster, I still couldn't free it up so I split the tractor last night.
I installed one of my heavy wheeled buggies under the loader frame and bolted it to the rails to support the front half and supported the rear section on a block of hardwood with a 3/4 in. steel flat iron on top. After greasing the rails the block slides back on them as the tractor is split.  I had to use the threaded rods to jack it apart until the splines pulled out of the clutch disc.  Lower guide bolts are engine mounting bolts from my 1919 Twin City tractor which is apart in the next bay!!

After getting it apart I noticed the splines on the input shaft are showing a lot of wear.

I will install a new clutch and throwout bearing so I don't have to go in there again!

In all my years of seeing D17's used and abused and tortured, I've never seen a clutch shaft look like that....never.

I'm very surprised to see this myself as usually these shafts are hardened. I had a little trouble getting the clutch assembly out of the flywheel. When it finally came out the springs released and the throw out fingers snapped back to the engaged position. The whole assembly was jammed up with various chunks of clutch dust and crap!  There's not much clearance between the pressure plate/disc and the rim of the flywheel.

 I haven't had a look at the manual yet, but how much of a job is it to replace the input shaft??

As an alternative I was going to build up the splines and recut them.  I realize some hardness would be lost unless I used a Stellite type material.  I've done this before on pre-'20 tractors when there were no replacements available.

Oddly enough, the clutch disc hub shows no wear on the splines!!


Edited by Alberta Phil - 13 May 2012 at 11:16am

I'm going to build up and recut the splines on the shaft where it is. I've done this before on slightly larger shafts with good success.  

Wonder how the weld will hold up to the wear? Should be ok I think unless your going to work the crap out of it. By the way looks like a really nice job you did there.