Installing transmission bands...

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Installing transmission bands...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 03:57 pm:

...without removing the hogshead. I've never tried it with the cover on the transmission. I'd rather not take it off if I don't have to. Is there a simple way to do it with the hogshead on? These are the bands with removable ears.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff V on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 04:07 pm:

Yes, you'll for sure need the band tool (long skinny piece of flexible steel) to do this. It's very simple in theory but very frustrating in actual practice. The first time I did it it took me a full 8 hour day to get all the bands where they needed to be. The second time I just went ahead and removed the hogshead. I don't know, in terms of work I'ld says its about a toss up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 04:09 pm:

Easy peasy. Just put one in,and slide it to the rear,then another,etc. The clip goes on the drivers side,however,I just took a set off that were reversed.The trick is to roll them around the drum.A piece of heavy gauge coat hanger with a 1/4 inch hook on one end helps to guide the up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 04:16 pm:

Steve - I'm certainly not qualified to be of much help, however, I notice that so far, nobody has mentioned the type of band material involved. Even with the removable ears, I believe a lot depends on the type of band material, and if I recall correctly, it's the wood bands that can be the most problem as they do not flex as readily as kevlar or cotton. FWIW,.....harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 04:18 pm:

The band installation tool sold by vendors makes it simpler to install the bands. You might make one: Its a thin steel strap with a handle on one end and a hook cut in the sheetmetal on the other end. Its formed in a circle. You slip it around the drum, hook it on the end of the band and pull the band thru. Install the removable ear, pedal, spring,washer and nut then go to the next one. I usually put reverse in first and work my way backwards, finishing with the brake band. I find it nearly impossible to keep the band "round" as I install it, but this has caused no trouble for me in the last 50 years.

You can do it without the band installation tool, but you will have to make a hook out of stiff wire to reach down alongside the drum, hook the band and pull it up into position.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:22 pm:

I used a coat hanger to pull the bands around with and get them out.
That was years ago before I knew Ford had a tool for it.
My old farmer friend said to use 'some type of stiff wire'.
After you get the hang of it, its fairly easy.

Dan Treace had an add he posted about Ford advertising the bands with removable ears.

Seems like it was a guy named Joe who could it in around 10 minutes as I remember. I ain't that fast though!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:28 pm:

I do it like Uncle Jack says: Put the brake band in first, up front where there's more room, then slide it back. Do the same with the low and then the reverse bands. Stuff lots of rags or towels around the sides, to catch whatever you drop while trying to install all those small pieces. The vendors sell a special wrench which holds each nut as you install it. I've never used one, but folks seem to like them. (Don't forget to remove the rags when you're finished.) :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:30 pm:

Steve I guess it goes without saying BUT stuff the transmission with rags before you remove the nuts and washers and etc to keep from dropping anything in the crankcase.
Same goes when getting the bands back on and starting to reinstall the band hardware.
There is a tool thats available to help hold the nuts when reinstalling them which might work OK.

Just thought I'd mention it but you've probably already know this.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:32 pm:

Count the rags when you put them in, count them when you take them out.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Kossor on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:32 pm:

Highly recommend following the guidance to FULLY stuff the ENTIRE exposed areas of the transmission housing with rags prior removing or installing band nuts and washers or you risk joining the Model T Fishing Club:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/400800.html?1384320113

Good luck with the installation.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Holcomb, Watertown WI on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 05:43 pm:

Steve,
It took me about an hour to put kevlar bands in my '24 coupe. This was the first time. I used the band tool and it was fairly easy. If I can do it, anybody can!
Brian


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 06:20 pm:

I made a nice tool to "hook" the bands with out of a car antenna. I cut the little ball off the end and bent a 1/4 to 3/8 inch hook at about a 45 degree angle on that end. I then bent me a handle at a 90 degree angle aprox at 16 to 24 inches long and then cut off the excess. It works real nice to reach down into the "innards" of the trans and "snag" the band and pull it up. I have the flat band style and also the little tool that holds the nut. I do not use them anymore. Just remember to stuff rags into the trans and do not leave anywhere that a washer could fit thru. Remember that "Murphey's Law" is in effect when doing the bands. As stated above "count the rags" before and after the job. When putting the bands back in just take your time and roll them into place. I do them one at a time, installing and removing the rags each time as I put on the springs, washers, and nuts. Make sure they are slid toward the front of engine as far as they will go each time, before moving on to the next band. I just put in a set and it took me about 20 minutes for the installation part of the job. Also remove the key from the ignition switch. There have been a lot of keys fall into the trans while doing the bands. Good luck ...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Thursday, December 05, 2013 - 07:43 pm:

Steve,

Changing a transmission band is absolutely the first piece of "maintenance" I ever did on a T and I used the tool the vendors sell. A friend showed me the first time and after that I was on my own.

Very shortly before changing that band I learned how to DRIVE a T. Believe me... as stated above, it really isn't hard. Now I can even change my own oil!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By samuel pine on Friday, December 06, 2013 - 03:42 am:

Ya and dont forget to remove your Ign key. Remove
everything from ya pockets watches pencils rings
even your glasses. Dont laugh my glasses fell off
and the lens popped out and the tranny devils took it way deep in hell..Lucky I drained the oil bringing the lens in sight so I busted the lens with
needle nose good thing the lens was plastic. This
all happened when I just started putting rags in
there.

edit Donnie mentioned the key already


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Friday, December 06, 2013 - 11:26 pm:

The band tool worked OK. It got the first band around the drum. But that was the end of any success. Trying to get the band where it belongs just got me madder and madder. I quit. The lid's coming off.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Friday, December 06, 2013 - 11:43 pm:

Relax. Take a breather. You're doing something wrong.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Saturday, December 07, 2013 - 02:01 am:

Here are the best photos I've found of actually installing the bands:

Here the tool in inserted and ready to attach to the band:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-images/trans-band-too l.jpg

Here the tool is attached to the band and ready to pull in the band:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-images/trans-band-rea dy-to-pull.jpg

Here the band has been pulled in:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-images/trans-band-pul led.jpg

The tool removed and ear installed:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-images/trans-band-ear -installed.jpg

And in position and tied in place:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-images/trans-band-wir ed.jpg

These photos are from:
http://www.randomexploits.com/projects/model_t/restoration-blog.htm

Looks like a piece of cake.

There is a video on line but it is poor quality and lacks detail. Someone should make a good video on the process. Not me, I don't need to change bands.
Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Saturday, December 07, 2013 - 04:11 pm:

OK, I thought, I'll take Charlie's advice. Calm down.Take a rest. Come back to it later. Well, I just gave it another go. Using the tool to pull the band around the drum is easy. Getting the removable ear back on the band is tricky, but not too bad. But so far getting the bands in position with the ears aligned with the shafts seems impossible. I'm with Jim. I wish somebody would make a good video. Time to give it a rest and do something easy for awhile. This is getting me steamed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Derocher on Saturday, December 07, 2013 - 09:33 pm:

Steve, you'll get there, let it rest a day. I'm doing the same job, but gave up and pulled the hogshead..It will give me a chance to look over those clutch fingers I should have looked at before. I don't have the removable ears anyway...Jim Derocher AuGres, Michigan


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Sunday, December 08, 2013 - 11:46 am:

As someone whose never had the need to do this job and with a lifetime of experience in auto mechanics I'd be expecting problems doing it too. I just can't buy the "1 hour and back on the road" crowd. Not doing it the first time anyway. It's odd there's no video on this. Everything's on the web they say. Not if someone hasn't put it there it's not! I know it's a hard read but have another look at your Black Bible. Now that you're into it you may pick something up and there isn't much else instruction wise..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker - Dayton, OH on Sunday, December 08, 2013 - 12:31 pm:

Jim - Dave Huson has trans bands with the detachable ears available on the classified section. While you have your hogshead off, it would be a perfect time to replace the old bands with the detachable ears version so you can experience the same enjoyment of the job that Steve is obviously having.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Semprez-Templeton, CA on Sunday, December 08, 2013 - 12:53 pm:

I know that Steve will will master the band change through the hole... and produce "the good video" to boot. That's just the kind of guy he is!

As for me, I will continue to remove the hogshead when I change bands, simply because that's how I've always done it. Oh, I have tried changing bands through the hole several times but have never succeeded. Problem is, I keep hearing my old dad's words... "some people say you can change bands without removing the housing, (he never called it a hogshead) But I never could". Dad was born the same year as the model T and built, raced and worked on many old Fords as a young man. On his authority, I've concluded that whatever method works best for a person is just fine, since it is the final result that counts.


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