Cluch release through out bearing

[Tom S.]

Is it common for the through out bearing in a cub lo boy to break within 6 months? I have 1968 Cub Lo Boy.

[indy61]

No, not common however improper clutch finger adjustment or worn yoke could cause premature failure. I suppose inferior aftermarket products could also.
Your Lo-Boy is not a numbered series and this should be posted in the Farmall Cub section.

[Tom S.]

Thanks Indy61

[Tom S.]

I posted this in another section and was told it should be in this one instead. I replaced my through out bearing 6 months ago and on Christmas eve the new bearing broke. I would think that these bearings would last longer. Can I get some reasons why it failed so soon?

[Mrblanche]

It IS less durable than a metal one. However, if you treat it right, it does OK. Did you soak it in oil overnight (at least) before you installed it? Did you grease it regularly with the cheapest grease you could find? Did you adjust the clutch fingers so they were all exactly equal in height?

[ricky racer]

As others have said, some of the aftermarket TOB's are of poor quality. Make sure you get a good quality bearing and soak it in oil for a couple of days.
Once you've split your tractor, inspect the yoke for wear in the pivot holes. If it's worn, fix or replace it. Adjust the clutch fingers and inspect them for any nicks or burrs. Grease the bearing with cheap grease until grease comes out the top weep hole.
After coupling the tractor back together adjust the clutch peddle. Grease the new TOB a couple times a year.

[Tom S.]

Awesome, thank you both for your feedback. The last one, I did not soak it before but I did grease it well.

[indy61]

A picture of the broken throw out bearing might help to determine the cause. Did the carbon break or metal?

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The last ones I bought were a few years back, and the IH ones came presoaked, but the aftermarket ones did not. If it is dry, it definitely needs presoaking with motor oil. When I failed to do that several years ago, the failure was counted in hours, not months, but I did use that tractor pretty heavy

[Tom S.]

That's what I needed to hear, thanks John.

[Tom S.]

Indy61, it was the carbon that broke.

[inairam]

I had a carbon TOB fail in less than a year. I have bearings "marinating", as one member put it, just in case.

also the TOB from TM come pre-greased but not pre-soaked. The one that failed on me I put in from TM not knowing about the soaking. Gease is not enough. the entire profile of the carbon has to be soaking in oil.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I had a carbon TOB fail in less than a year. I have bearings "marinating", as one member put it, just in case.

also the TOB from TM come pre-greased but not pre-soaked. The one that failed on me I put in from TM not knowing about the soaking. Gease is not enough. the entire profile of the carbon has to be soaking in oil.

I have never tried marinating them more than a day or two in 10w30 oil. The dry graphite absorbs it pretty quick. When greasing use the cheapest low quality grease you can find. The graphite is lubricated by the oil seeping out of the wax base and into the graphite. I prefer the little cheap pistol grip mini guns you find most everywhere, Walmart, Autozone, NAPA, for $10 or $15 including a tube or two of cheap grease. Those little guns allow you to grease the TOB with the mower on. Another trick I have learned is to wipe a thin layer of grease on the face of the TOB when assembling to give it a little extra lubrication at the start.

[Stanton]

Order another one from TM Tractor (site sponsor) and do the pre-soak as suggested above. Believe you'll see quite a difference in performance and longevity.

Otherwise, you're nearest Case-IH dealer is in Brigham City, UT.

https://www.caseih.com/northamerica/en-us/dealer-locator#0

[Tom S.]

Will I ever need to re-soak the TOB again or will the grease maintain what it needs?