M8540 - Clicks when moving after parking brake neutral spring gone missing

[RichInTN]

While rolling hay, after stopping the tractor for a break and coming back it started to make a loud click when moving. The click is proportional to the speed. Upon inspecting the tractor the "netural" spring for the parking brake had gone missing. Replacing the neutral spring did not resolve the problem. I tried disconnecting the brake cable to allow the parking brake lever to move all the way down, same issue. I am not certain the two are connected but it seems highly coincidental. If I turn the tractor off, put it in neutral and let it roll down a slight incline it will either click or stop rolling at the point it would click, depending on the incline. This and the spring led me to think this is parking brake related.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Before I go tearing down the tractor to inspect it I was hoping for some insight.

Thanks!

 

[rentthis]

Have you checked for loose lug nuts/bolts?

 

[Roadworthy]

Look under the tractor and around the wheels to see if something is caught and hitting when the wheel goes around.

 

[RichInTN]

Have you checked for loose lug nuts/bolts?

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, yes and no loose nuts or bits anywhere to be found.

I have the tractor up and jack stands and it is definitely coming from the transmission/differential area. If I block one wheel and rotate the other by hand I can hear the clicking and feel it bind every time just before it clicks.

My current idea is to drain the hydraulic fluid and pull the shift cover on the right of the transmission so I can get at least somewhat of a view inside. Fortunately it uses sealant instead of a gasket so aside from lining all the forks up (and whatever I have to do with the creep gears) it hopefully won't be too bad.

 

[RichInTN]

The verdict is in and it is not one I hoped for. I pulled the shift cover, not too bad to do, but I did have to loosen the floor board up so it could tilt high enough to come out. The Parking Brake "gear" had a couple of teeth break off. One of them fell in exactly the wrong place and landed on the drive gear (the main gear on the drive shaft for the rear and front differentials). It did not break the drive gear per say, instead it caused hairline cracks in two of the teeth and spread them apart. The clicking sound occurs every time those mesh with the gear, as it 'pops' over the spread. In any event the tractor will have to be split, time for a trip to the dealer, and a painful wallet experience. Worse is they are telling me those gears are not in stock and could take a month or more to get them given the shipping situation and parts availability at this time.

 

[lugbolt]

seen that happen before. Unfortunately it's not an easy fix. Sorry.