Transmission Question?

[colonelpowers]

My unrestored 26 has some quirks in the transmission that I wanted to see what y'all think is the cause. In low gear, when pulling out it wants be jerk quite a bit until it finally grabs and goes. I have driven other T's that are much smoother. The second quirk is that when stopping,just before it completely quits rolling and holding the brake, it jerks and chatters some. I suppose that it is likely just 97 years of wear that is the culprit. My last unrestored T did similarly and neither driving technique nor adjustment really seemed to make a difference. One more thing to mention, just to see if it made a difference, I have stopped with the hand brake pulled into neutral but using the foot brake and still got the same jerky chatter and it is only in that last instant before the car completely stops. I can't see how it could be the cause either quirk but the bands are ancient but have plenty of meat on them so I haven't changed them yet. Also, from what little you can see of the drums they appear to be smooth and without any grooves or damage but then again you can't tell a whole lot with everything assembled.

Thanks and God Bless.

[Allan]

The chatter is not an entirely unusual occurrence as a T is stopping when the vehicle s almost stopped. My van does it. I drive around it, releasing the brake just before it occurs and re-applying it to complete the stop. If it happens when engaging first gear, it is best to dump your foot hard so thee s minimal slip as the band engages the drum. There was a brand of oil promoted to stop Ford bands chattering back in days gone. I don't know how effective it was.

Allan from down under.

[JTT3]

—- …’:;/- ————————-

[TXGOAT2]

Grease the u-joint thoroughly. Your bands may look OK and still be glazed. Changing oil may help. Model Ts were engineered to use what we call 20W motor oil today. 10W30 is a good choice today.
Ease up on the brake as the car rolls to a dead stop. When engaging low, give the engine just a little gas as you press the pedal down firmly. To start off in low and shift smoothly to high, the engine needs to be in a good state of tune. An engine that is out of tune can buck and stall even with a perfect transmission.

[speedytinc]

Sounds like a band issue. What are the linings? Chattery bands are common with modern bonded hard lining. I have seen this with wood bands also.
To a lesser extent with rotten linings that fold under, but you would see a loss/lack of material on the ends.
You say they look good, I dont know what that exactly means.

PS. Look @ the condition of the return springs. They take a shorter set over time. Not usually an issue until you re-install new bands.

[Norman Kling]

I have 3 ModelT's. One has wood bands and they have been there 30 years. The other two have Kevlar. with Kevlar you need to be very careful that the ramps on the pedals are good so that when in neutral the bands are free of the drums. Otherwise you have to tighten them too much to get them to stop the drums and when in neutrl or high the bands still drag on the drums. They last very well with good ramps and correct adjustment, however if they drag they will overheat the drums leading to the crack. The one car with wood bands does chatter some especially with the brake when going downhill. I am not sure whether it is glazed bands or slack in the parts between the transmission and the rear wheels. I have Rocky Mountain brakes on this car too and it still chatters somewhat when stopping. I think it might be the U joint or the bushing inside the front end of the driveshaft. Anyway I don't worry about it. The other two cars run fine and they are the ones I usually drive.
Norm