Low Band Replacement?

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erkbrn
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Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 2:24 am
First Name: Eric
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Speedster
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Low Band Replacement?

Post by erkbrn » Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:56 pm

Hello everyone,

While trying to sort through some other transmission issues (slipping in high gear?), I just noticed this strange wear for the first time on the low band ear and the adjusting screw. I am not sure how long it has been there (only the second time I have opened the cover), but it definitely looks like a problem. It looks like the ear for the low band on the right hand side has broken or worn down over time. It prevents the low band adjustment from being a smooth linear adjustment (effectively meaning I don't have a low band adjustment). When pressing the clutch into low, that side of the band does not clamp like the other two bands do. The car drives and low gear seems to work fine despite other transmission problems. Is it possible to fix this ear? I'm thinking the low band itself and the adjustment screw will have to be replaced. What are your thoughts? Is this a symptom of something else or just poor installation of mechanics past?
Bands1.jpg
Bands2.jpg

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DanTreace
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Re: Low Band Replacement?

Post by DanTreace » Sat Jul 13, 2019 9:19 pm

Yes, your low pedal band lugs (ears) are deformed now. One fix is to perhaps add a washer like what was done on the reverse pedal. A washer over the low pedal shaft in front of the band spring may give better surface. Of course the best way is to replace the low pedal, but takes pulling the hogshead, and driving out rivet carefully supporting the cast iron everywhere but on the pedal cam as you re-rivet a replacement pedal.

Assume your T is the '15 noted in your profile, your adjusting screw will be the early 'hollow' type screw, that receives the long shaft of the low pedal.

That means your bands are likley standard, without demountable 'ear' features on the left side of the band as installed. So you un-screw the adj. screw on the right side of the hogshead to access the band and low pedal shaft. You can also just replace that long hollow adj. screw with a better one.

The damage likely was from years ago, letting the low adj. screw get loose, (it has a large hex nut to lock it) and that compounded with the wear to the band lugs.

Low pedal adj. screw, early hollow type:

IMG_0401 (1024x768).jpg
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
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Allan
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Re: Low Band Replacement?

Post by Allan » Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:07 am

Eric, when you wind the adjuster out, you may find that the pedal shaft is still inside the threaded hole in the trans cover, making a simple insertion of the suggested washer not possible. You could then resort to replacing that adjuster with a less beat up one with a neat end on it. Wear on the band ear may mean that this will not last long, but it could tide you over until the hogshead is removed for some other reason. Then that band could be replaced.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

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