Kevlar Transmission Bands

[dunoon]

I'm looking to replacing my transmission bands on my 26 coupe. I 'm wanting to use kevlar. Does anyone know a vendor that sell kevlar and will install them on my bands? Thanks

[Steve Jelf]

All the parts dealers sell Kevlar linings from one or another of the three companies that make them, or you can buy directly from the makers. They advertise in the club magazines. I don't now if any of the dealers do installation, but you can phone them and ask.

That brings up another question. Has anybody compared the three current makes and found differences causing them to prefer one over the others?

[OldFord]

Sent you an email...

[DickC]

Kevlar is great but have you considered Wood? I have been running wood linings in my T's for about ten years. Our club tours three times a year, Spring and fall usually 160 miles each and summer is about 450 miles, and then I don't know how many miles I drive in search of ice cream and other running around. I would estimate about 2500-3000 miles a year. I usually adjust the wood linings once after installation and they are good to go. Dick C.

[Steve Hughes]

Frank: Send that email to me too. I am also interested in how the three manufacturers products compare.

[speedytinc]

Frank: Send that email to me too. I am also interested in how the three manufacturers products compare.

Same here Frank. If you have some input to kevlar quality available.

I have always used Steve K's kevlar, but I will need a new supply soon.
I recall, a ways back, there was kevlar with a backing that didnt work out well.

[NU2theT]

Richard, I sent my bands out to Langs and they installed the new Kevlar material for a nominal bench fee.

Go with the Kevlar linings, once you break them in you will have many happy miles under your feet. Good luck and let us know how you make out sir.

[OldFord]

The email I sent merely stated that installation on his steel bands was available at $10 per band. As far as comparing material, I believe Nev-R-Wear to be a superior product to that which is imported from England. I had that product forced on me from a previous supplier and rejected it. My Nev-R-Wear linings are made in the USA and have a 100% money back guarantee. If for ANY reason the end user is dissatisfied, send them back. The point that should be mentioned is that the ends of our bands are NOT sealed. Engineers at Dupont warned us over 25 years ago that the only product that would not cause deterioration in the Kevlar fibers was an epoxy that would harden and possibly cause damage to the steel drums. If the end user chooses to seal the ends of the bands, that is their business, but I do not want to accept the liability if something should happen to your transmission.

Frank

[DanTreace]

That brings up another question. Has anybody compared the three current makes and found differences causing them to prefer one over the others?

The latest NevRWear is what used last time, and will use again, but to be honest, have yet to replace any Kevlar linings due to wear. Oh, while maybe others don't, but I coat the very tip ends of the NevRWear with a dab of gel-type crazy glue, to prevent fluffing, had that happen before and like to seal ends of the lining, they overhang the lugs anyway, harmless to the drums, its just the same material used for skin glue!

Will be pulling bands from my '27 in the spring, and do a check on them, will be able to approx. the miles and time from install, that may give me an insight.

As for comparison, have used the made in England and the USA, and prefer the USA type. The weave is a bit finer, and lining is thinner, and they flex better on install, seem to be flexy like cotton.
The England weave is different, thicker linings, and have a compressed weave look, and because of that are quite stiff in comparison. Perhaps the compressed weave is better for wear? Perhaps the flex weave is better for oil saturation? Can't comment, just visual observations.

[Allan]

Mention was made of previous Kevlar bands having a backing. Custom Friction Company supplied these back in the 1990's. The Kevlar component was a relatively thin layer of macerated fibre like ordinary brake linings, bonded to a fabric backing to make them up to the required thickness for T bands. They worked really well for me, but came with difficulties for fitting the linings to the bands. The rivet head was on the inside, and the lining had to be countersunk to take the rivet head. I still have the specially sharpened drill bit I used to do this. If you went too deep on this operation, you snagged the backing, and that rivet did not do much holding.
Later editions had a different synthetic backing fibre and this broke down in the heat of the trans oil, leading to the eventual demise of the product. The woven Kevlar bands to which we now have access eliminated the fitting problem, and the fitting operation is just like that to which we have always been used.

Allan from down under.

[speedytinc]

Thats what I remembered, the breaking down of the backing.

Let me add, the normal scandia lining installation method can cause serious problems using kevlar. The loop created MUST be COMPLETELY down flat against the steel band.
A small bump(hi spot), will create a constant friction & can be a reason you cant properly adjust a band.