Farm Equipment - brake adjustment rod

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brake adjustment rod

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180269
Printed Date: 26 Jul 2025 at 4:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: brake adjustment rod

Posted By: Kruger
Subject: brake adjustment rod
Date Posted: 02 May 2021 at 7:22pm

Hi guys new to the forum and not the mechanic most of you are. I grew up on a dairy farm with allis chalmers. Recently I purchased a D17 series 3. I was attempting to adjust the brakes. The right brake adjustment rod was free and adjusted easily. The left however, is frozen solid. I have tried a variety of solvents without success. I have not pushed hard to loosen it for fear of breaking the rod. I need your collective expertise. How should I loosen this (if possible). Thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 02 May 2021 at 7:35pm

You'll have to reach inside with a torch tip that will heat the trunnion nut and not the rod. Has to be done quickly and loosen the rod first and then keep oiling and work it back and forth. If you twist it off, then the axle must be pulled. I have in certain circumstances cut the end off the brake rod at the right place, held the brake rod firmly with a vise grips (2 people), and then threaded it with a 3/8" hex die and then installed a threaded yoke from a 180/185 and adjusted things from there until it was time to reline the brakes.

Posted By: Kruger
Date Posted: 02 May 2021 at 8:10pm

Thank you DrAllis. I'll try to heat the trunnion nut first. If I cannot move it with moderate pressure, I may do as you suggest.

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 02 May 2021 at 8:18pm

The really nice thing about using the yoke like a 180/185 is the fact that it is fine threads, so 1/2 turn helps get the brake pedals in synch with each other.

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 07 May 2021 at 10:52am

I tried to adjest my 185 brakes a couple weeks ago and had the same issue. The right side was froze. Then I wondered why I thought a rod that hadn't been moved in 50 years would turn LOL.

I don't have much brakes left at all and figured I'll have to tear apart and do brakes now.

Posted By: Kruger
Date Posted: 07 May 2021 at 2:25pm

I feel your pain. Hoping to work on the D17 this week. Got every thing I need to do the job as recommended by Dr Allis.

Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 08 May 2021 at 9:47am

About 15 years ago my right side broke off mowing hay. It broke off flush with the trunion. Allen at R&R equipment has a new rod. But I had to pull the Right side off to install the new rod. Good part of it was, the old piece left unscrewed easily. Not a hard job to do if you have a cement slab and a Chery picker.

Posted By: Kruger
Date Posted: 14 May 2021 at 9:01pm

Hey Dr. Allis, thanks for your advice. We cut off the brake adjustment rod and placed a yoke. Works now like a dream. I appreciate your advice.

Posted By: Stu K
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 9:44pm

hello

I am trying to adjust the brakes on my 185 as well. The question I have is does anyone know an easy way to hook up the return spring. My tractor has a yoke installed as the rod is frozen. The spring is so tight that I can't connect it after I adjust the brake yoke.

Is this a sign the brakes a shot or is there an easy way to connect it.

Thanks is advance.

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 9:48pm

Lock/position the brake pedal clear back to start with. I then use a fairly large and long phillip's screwdriver and pry/stretch/slide the spring back into the hole on the brake rod. If you loosen the 3/8" bolt at the rear, it will reduce the spring tension to make this easier. Retighten the bolt when done.

Posted By: Stu K
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2021 at 9:55pm

Thanks Doc I'll give it a shot. I was looking to find a way to pry it. I am thinking I will need to remove the battery box to make it easier to get to.

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2021 at 5:46am

Lay on your back or on a creeper.

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2021 at 11:10am

When I hooked up the springs on my 185 This spring i put on a heavy pair of leather gloves, got a pair of vice grips, laid on the floor, hoped something didn't slip, and pulled with everything I had.

Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2021 at 9:11pm

The way Dr. said is easy and it works. MACK