Need opinion on oil soaked brake bands

Tom Fleming · May 28, 2010

Got the brakes on my '42 H off. Got the seals out and new ones back in. everything is cleaned up ready to go except for the brake bands. I have rinsed them twice with brake clean, and they are still oozing gear oil.

Lots of life left in them, just oil soaked. I was thinking of putting them in a 5 gallon bucket and soaking them for a week or two. Here is the question: gasoline? acetone? paint thinner?

I am also considering packing them in oil litter (you know, for spilled oil in the shop), and leaving the bucket out in the sun for the week or two.

Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

ps. Noticed each brake cover has a bolt and jamb nut on the bottom. they go all the way through into the inside. I checked out the CIH parts diagrams, and don't see those listed. What are they for? Looks like they would be used to take up "slop" in the brake band, and keep it from rubbing on the cover. Not sure though.

rustyfarmall · May 28, 2010

That bottom bolt through the cover is exactly what you think it is. Basically you turn it in until it contacts the brake band, turn it even firther until the band contacts the drum, and then back it off one or two turns. (I forget the exact specification, might be more, might be less).

I can't offer any advice for getting the oil out of the bands, but I do like the idea of soaking them in solvent or gasoline for a few days and then burying them in floor dry (kitty litter).

Wayne in MN · May 28, 2010

After installing the bands & getting the pedal free-play to about 1", apply the brakes firmly, lock them in place and adjust the set-screw on the bottom side of the cover. (helps to loosen any adjustable parts BEFORE re-assembly) Loosen the jam nut, turn the set-screw in until it touches the brake band, back out 1/2 turn & lock the jam nut. This helps prevent the brake band from dragging, premature wear, and overheating.

Oldiron29 · May 28, 2010

Tom, I would spray them down with brake cleaner and let them air dry. If still oily repet again. Oldiron29

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2010

I am also like you except I have a 41 h if the bands are off fine if not take them off. place them away from flamables and not cement take torch using orange flame to lt. blue and heat till they dry.heat awhile cool awhile for 4 or 5 times.when finish scuff them on cement.be careful if you have already soak them in flameable liq. worked for me. DONT THROW OUT THE BABY JUST BECAUSE THE WATERS DIRTY john

RLS-ia · May 28, 2010

I agree with John, when I took farm maintenance at a junior college we heated the brake linings with a torch, just use a "soft" flame to dry the linings.

gene bender · May 28, 2010

When i run into the problam with oil soaked bands i will sand blast them when finished they work just fine.

Allan in NE · May 29, 2010

Hi Tom,

If you've already cleaned 'em with brake clean, put 'em on the tractor and button it up.

Just using them will cook the bands dry.

Allan

Jim in Ma. · May 29, 2010

I have a small electric toaster oven in the shop ($ 2.00 yard sale find). I would put some oil dry on the tray with the bands on it and heat them up for a while.
Note - Do Not Use Ma Ma's oven if she is home.

Harpo · May 29, 2010

When you had the old seals out, did you check the bearings on the brake shaft?

One of the big reasons for the seals to leak is bad bearings on the brake shaft.

Roger46 · May 30, 2010

As some others said, I have burned the oil off brake linings. I used the propane torch to burn the oil off my oil soaked Farmall A brake linings as they were like new except oil soaked. After heating for a while with the torch mine actually caught on fire and burned until they were clean (good job to do outside). The only negative I found was that something must burn out of the linings; because, those brakes have always been real touchy. When I step on the brakes very hard the wheel will lock up, so they are almost like power brakes. They have been better the longer I use them, however. Roger

Tom Fleming · May 31, 2010

Harpo, good point, and yes I checked the bearings. they are fine. These were the orginal seals propably from 1942, so no shame there.

Thanks to all who replied. I am probably going to go the propane torch route, and lightly cook them.

Hope everyone had a safe and family filled Memorial Day!

Mine was, and took the F-20 in the local parade, all decked out in bunting.

Tom Fleming · Jun 6, 2010

Just a quick update. cooked the brake bands yesterday. Set them on top on an old tire rim, and started heating them with a propane torch. The gear lube started to smoke up and caught fire. I let the oil burn iteself off. Let them cool down, and lightly scuffed the lining with 100 grit sand paper. Final rinse with brake clean, and they look absolutely new (except for the wear).

Thanks to all for the input.

Need opinion on oil soaked brake bands

Tom Fleming

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rustyfarmall

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Wayne in MN

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Oldiron29

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Anonymous-0

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RLS-ia

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gene bender

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Allan in NE

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Jim in Ma.

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Harpo

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Roger46

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Tom Fleming

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Tom Fleming

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