Farmall Cub

Hey guys, I've been on here before but for some reason (probably due to lack of use) my account had been deleted. Anyways....I'm back with the same name! I've got me an International Farmall Cub (1975 model) and the right brake is extremely stiff. The pedal itself is actually locked tight. The middle (left) brake pedal moves smooth and freely like it should and it goes down and springs back up like it would on a new one. I would like to know if it is possible (it looks that way from the parts manual) to remove the brake pedal and sand, clean, and lube all parts and put them back together so it will work like the Left pedal does. I had actually removed the pointed bolt, and used a torch and got the pedal "free" and it will move, but it doesn't move far and it doesn't spring back into place. You have to move it back and forth manually and that will definitely not work while driving. It is extremely tight. I've also soaked it with PB blaster and still not better. When I did all of this I disconnected the linkage to the brake band so I could move it back and forth a good bit. Now I feel that I need to take everything apart and clean, sand, and lube to get it working right. While using the torch, it ruined the return spring and I put a new factory one on it and it still doesn't help.

The pedal is just really tight! How can I remove all of the components and fix it right?

Thanks for your help, and hope all is well here on the forum as it has been a while since I have been on here.

viewtopic.php?f=147&t=17410&p=125869&hilit=brake+pedal+removal#p125869
This "how to" by Ralph is the best help I can offer.

Bob

They are a bear sometimes. Actually, almost all the time... The LAST thing you want to do is hammer on the shaft. It is soft steel and it will mushroom and you will need to replace it.

And.... welcome back to the Forum!

heat, heat and more heat

bob in CT wrote:They are a bear sometimes. Actually, almost all the time... The LAST thing you want to do is hammer on the shaft. It is soft steel and it will mushroom and you will need to replace it.

Agree. A few too many taps with the hammer had me bringing out the file to relieve the "mushroom" on my '48 a couple summers back. Finally came out...

Thanks guys. I'm going to read the How To by Ralph, and see what it says. I'll post back if I have any questions.

Since I'm not trying to remove the entire left brake pedal, or the floorpan; I really don't see Ralph's method being what I need to do. Yes, it would work well; but since I'm only trying to free up the right brake pedal from being so tight, I don't want to remove all of the other stuff unless that is the ONLY option. See where I'm coming from?

What do you guys think? I think by disconnecting the linkage, using a crescent wrench, and using heat....I might be able to get it all apart. Maybe I could take a blunt chisel and hit the "rod" right at where the clevis connects to avoid mushrooming the rod?? What do you guys think?

I appreciate all of the feedback!

Better watch it with heat, hammer, and chisel. That's a dangerous combination. I had one that was hung up like you are describing. Over a period of about 2 weeks, I went out daily, sprayed both sides of the pedal/rod with Kroil, and worked it up and down as best I could. After two weeks, it freed up and was fine. Never had another problem with it. Since you've already heated the pedal, this may not work at all. Heat does some funny things to metals. Some metals expand and stay. Some metals expand and contract. Some just get soft and others get brittle. It all has to do with the kind of alloy they made the part from. I think I would disconnect the brake rod, and turn the pedal as much as you can, repeatedly back and forth, and see what happens. If it's REALLY hung up bad, you're likely going to tear it up getting it off the tractor, so you might start looking for a replacement.

Ok. I think I will just disconnect from linkage, apply PB Blaster liberally and use the cresecent wrench to hold the "tab" that connects the linkage while moving the pedal back and forth. Sound like that will work??