Super C transmission noise

Mike plainview · Jun 25, 2009

On my Farmall Super C, the transmission was making a clanking noise that became worse and louder. It runs and drives in every gear, but sometimes when in gear it won"t move and sometimes in neutral when I start to take my foot off the clutch it strains the engine and will die unless I press the clutch back down. Fluid appears to be full. What is wrong?

Hendrik · Jun 25, 2009

Mike. I would not run the tractor any longer before knowing what is wrong. Probably either a bearing or a gear has failed. Further use might cause far greater damage to gears, shafts or castings. As a first step, pull the transmission cover and peek inside. Put it in gear, keep the clutch down and rock a rear wheel back and forward while peeking inside.
I don't know whether one can see the bull gears and the differential after having removed the transmission cover; for this you may have to pull the PTO assembly. Hope SC experts chime in.
HTH, Hendrik

ScottyHOMeY · Jun 25, 2009

It could be a simple as your shifter wearing out in a way that you wind up with it in two gears at once (that'll stall ya in a hurry!) or in no gear at all when it should be.

But it could be a chunk has come off a drive gear or the oil singer and is floating in there and jamming things (very bad).

Either way, I think it's going to require removing the tranny cover/deck to get in there to diagnose and fix.

Brownie 450 · Jun 25, 2009

Before digging into the transmission, take both the brake assemblies off & see if the noise goes away. Our 450 had the identical symptoms that you describe on your SC. We figured an axle bearing---turned out to be one of the small springs that retract the brake actuating pack had rusted one hook off & had fallen down where it intermittently got wedged between the brake casting & the rotating member. Worth a look--easier than going inside & then having to pull the brake anaways.

ScottyHOMeY · Jun 25, 2009

Oooohhh! Good idea. I like it. Durn sight easier than liftin' the deck, too.

Mike plainview · Jun 25, 2009

Thanks guys. I should also mention that with the clanking noise that if my foot is on the clutch, it does not clank or is is not as bad. When in neutral (no clutch down) it really clanks and when it drives in any gear it clanks. The noise is more around the driver end of the tractor(from the battery backwards). Should I check the braking system first? How complicated is that?

Brownie 450 · Jun 25, 2009

Take pedal return springs off of pedals. There is a bolt through a heavy spring that enters the brake assembly. I forget if it takes a 9/16 or a 5/8 wrench--remove the bolt keeping the spring & bolt in order. Forgot--there should be a jam-nut on the threaded bolt--loosen it to remove bolt.
Should be 5 bolts around circumference of brake housing--remove these. Pull straight out on the brake assembly to remove it. Lay the assembly out on a cardboard & make a mental note of how the discs And actuating plates are arranged in the housing.
Check actuating plate return springs[should be 3 of them]. If there are only 1 or 2 springs, you will probably find the remains of them somewhere in the brake casing. As long as you have the brakes out, clean everything up before replacement. Check in with what you find.

Brownie 450 · Jun 26, 2009

Just reading your reply---with the clutch out, in neutral it's making noise--probably trouble in the transmission as opposed to the brake department.

Brownie 450 · Jun 26, 2009

Another thought-- is the PTO engaged? Is there any load on the PTO? You saying the noise quiets down with your foot on the clutch makes me think clutch/ throwout bearing/ pilot bearing noise being telegraphed to the rear end. Might jack the rear end up & roll the wheels one at a time & listen for noise. Also, while on the jack, put it in gear & rock one wheel back & forth to listen for odd sounds.

Janicholson · Jun 26, 2009

I keep thinking about it. Could the coupling between the clutch and trans input be failing. I might be possible to see it through the clutch rod hole! JimN

Mike plainview · Jun 27, 2009

No, the PTO is not engaged. But I will try that with the jack and tires to check for sounds. Thanks!

Wayne W · Jul 2, 2009

Just became a member when I did a search and read your post.
My Super C made a clanking noise yesterday, after coast starting it.
I shut it off right away and was lucky enough to find a bolt on my belly mower deck (11/16 head). If it wouldn't have been for the deck catching it I wouldn't have a clue.
So I got a mirror and a good flashlight and looking up through the hole in the bottom, found it came from the coupling, or flex joint, where the drive shaft attaches to the tranny. It's still had one bolt holding it, and looks like when the shaft spins it strikes on the remaning smaller bolts in the coupling, making the noise.
I had to roll the tractor a little in gear, both forward and back, to get things to line up so I could even see where it came from. I'ts up in there quite a ways.

Super C transmission noise

Mike plainview

New User

Hendrik

Member

ScottyHOMeY

Well-known Member

Brownie 450

Member

ScottyHOMeY

Well-known Member

Mike plainview

New User

Brownie 450

Member

Brownie 450

Member

Brownie 450

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Mike plainview

New User

Wayne W

New User

Similar threads