Sudden Loss Of Torque

[new2memax4]

Wonder if anyone has ideas what would cause a sudden loss of torque.My max 4 has sudennly started to slip for lack of of better term.I thought maybe the belt due to there was alot of play I replaced the belt and shimmed engine up thinking this might be the problem.Nope! fired it up runs down hil at normal speed coming back up the hill plenty of rpm but no real power to the wheels. It moves ok forward and back just no speed under load no torque like trans is slipping.Pulled lower pug of t-20 and about a cup of tranny fluid came out.went out reran the hill same problem plenty of rpm but no real power,any thoughts? Could it be trans bands slipping and if so how do ya fix that.Really do not want to pull trans without knowing what is happening Could clutch spring cause this? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[Eldon]

Check and see if it will back up the hill OK with levers full back....if it does you have a spring/adjustment problem on the T-20,also try driving up the hill while pushing the levers fully forward..........My two cents.

[new2memax4]

thanks eldon ,but yeah i tried reverse, same result i think ,turns out i never really learned to back up at full speed(that was strange) but it feels the same lots of rpm but no go to match the rpm,moves but not like it should.
It's really strange how suddennly this happened, thanks again though. This will make me nuts till it's right again

[Mike]

If it is doing it equally on both sides and in forward and reverse then it probably isn't the transmission bands. Are the clutches both secure on the shafts? Make sure the bolts are tight and that the key is on the shafts. Also if you can leave the engine cover off and get someone to ride in the back to make sure that both clutches are engaging properly.

Just some thoughts...

[new2memax4]

I will check the bolts, i can see the lower clutch bolt in there and i'm sure the upper one is there also.I wondered but did not know what shafts are keyed cuz yes that is what it acts like, just like something is slipping. I just thought that unless the bolts fell out of the ends there was no way for the key to come out. Thank you for the ideas. I'll let you know what it was if and when I get it working right again.

[fire 6x6]

Just a thought, how old is youre belt. If youre belt is worn or glazed it will slip.

[Amphiman1]

slips..

might be a t20? right Mike?
or.... slick/rusty clutches as Mike said..

[LarryW]

I never had a t20 but hoping this sparks someones thoughts who has. I believe I saw somewhere that they need a frictiona additive or something in the atf fluid? Idea's anybody? May be wrong fluid in t20? Its the only thing I can think of thats not already stated.

[new2memax4]

I just replaced the belt thinking that was the problem,Nope.The old one was loose and I tighten it,same result so I replaced it ,same result.Are the clutch surfaces supposed to be "shiny" mine are kinda dark gray-black??They are smooth and not greasy but are they supposed to look or be polished?

[thejunkman]

hill

Make sure both youre levers are all the way forward sometimes i push forward on mine just to make sure they are inguaged when climbing up a hill and also check youre converter .

[micmac]

Definitely check the bolt on the T-20 clutch. Mine had come loose one time sheared itself but stayed in position so it looked fine. I went to check it and realized it had snapped. I had the same indications as you describe.

[new2memax4]

micmac Was the bolt itself broken off? Just checked and bolts are in place. I'm about to go put wrenches to it.Hate working on this part,lean over the back, stand on your head kind of thing. Did find if i turn lower clutch wheel by hand with unit in forward gear i can stop forward movement with my foot chocking rear tire.Clutch disc definatley turns more than out put shaft of t-20.So in my mind that means something definatly let loose between clutch and t-20. Sound right to you guys??Gonna go see how much I have to take apart to locate problem.Thanks again will advise what I find.

[brushcutter]

I think that one of your keys is sheared, maybe both, but most likely just one.

[brushcutter]

Come to think of it, there are actually 3, one is on the engine shaft, another inside that same clutch, and the third is on the tranny shaft. Check them all.

Sorry two are on driven (tranny) clutch the other on the engine shaft.

[new2memax4]

whoa!! I only found one key so far and that is at the lower clutch that slides over the t- 20 shaft.It keeps the clutch assy from spinning on the transmission shaft.It was in tact.You mean there are more keys in there somewhere? Engine is on the floor and the t-20 is on the bench I must admit I am puzzled I thought for sure that key was sheared at the clutch.NOPe!! What in the world could this be??? Belt is new and plenty tight. See if this helps you guys help me.I took max down to the creek outback,down hill,ran it up into hefty brush pile and hopped out.Stood outside max bent over tub looked back along under seats with flashlight and gave her gas.Low and behold that whole lower clutch assy.green spring and all is spinning away,Thats when i thought ok they were right the key shearde .brought it back up to the shed and took it all apart.Found that key to be in tact and thought What :::""""'"""!!! . So here i am wondering where to look next. I will be thinking on this one for a while after dinner .Right nnow makes no sense trans shaft cannot be slipping Is it possible for the bands inside to be slipping this much?? I will be looking up the t-20 adjust process you all have posted next.I adjusted those in the machine last summer due to sticks all but hit the dash.Thought they were right and it drove just fine.Never want to adjust those again while in the max4.