Just refreshed T-20 scare?????

[cclingma]

I just got my T-20 back together with Recreatives rebuild kit and I'm spooked. The input shaft turns very hard, even with both shifters in neutral. I replaced the seals, orings, gaskets and thrust washers. Am I doomed to go back into this thing?

Thanks
Corey

[racerone3]

are you just grabbing the shaft, or do you have the clutch on it? Did you lubricate the seals when you put the shafts through? if you did them dry, they will be sticky. the only other thing I can think of is that it went together with too many thrust washers, or there is damage to the input bearing.

[cclingma]

I have a clutch on it now. I can turn it but it's pretty darn stiff. I gathered up all the thrust washers that I took out and it appears to be the right amount. I didn't lube the seals. The input bearing felt good going back together but I wouldn't swear that it's great. It has loosened up a bit just turning it by hand several times but it's till a two hand deal.

[jpswift1]

Here's the thing......some T-20's had more thrust washers installed than others. I've taken some T-20's apart where there were twice as many as others. Some didn't even have any thrust washers on the planetary gears. Check to see how many it originally came with and go from there. I had the same problem a time or two as well.

[6 WHEELS OR BUST]

You're scaring me.

[cclingma]

You're scaring me.

Brother, I'm scared too. Kindda like putting a motor back together and can't find your 1/4" extension scared.

Well, I inventoried my thrust washers and found two big, two medium, and six small. That seems right as I followed the tear down to a T and it didn't say to remove the ones from underneith the planetary gears so I didn't.

Maybe this is goofy but did I mention no fluid is in this trans yet? I can see how a quart of trans fluid might loosen it up a little more. I just wanted to give it a turn or two by hand before dumping the fluid to it.

[russriders]

I just rebuild my t 20 and one side it hard to going gear I find down my chain kinda tight , you need to check on ur chain make sure not to tight just my thought

[MaxRules]

One of two things listed below probably happened. Either way, don't run your trans with that shaft hard to turn. You should pat yourself on the back for noticing the problem before it caused a bigger one.

The input shaft should turn with little effort even with no clutch on it. It feels much like an electric motor, if that gives you any kind of guide. One possiblity for your trans being too tight is like JPSwift mentioned, some T-20s are fitted with a thrust washer on only ONE side of the planet gears. Others have washers on both sides. If your trans is fitted for one and you put on two, it gets very tight.
The second possiblity is that the thick washer that sits on top of the ring gear and around the shift collar could have fallen out of place. There isn't much holding it there and if you lay the trans on the side, that washer could easily fall to the side and jam in under the shifter plate.
Either way, pull the trans back apart and check it out.

[cclingma]

I think the electric motor comparison sealed the deal for me.....I'm going to have to go back in.

MaxRules,
Interesting to see you're in Herman. I grew up in a little town a short way up the river from you called Mokane. I'm near Columbia now but still visit that area regularly and drive through Herman for work fairly often.

[cclingma]

Okay, so anybody reading this post getting very worried about rebuilding a T-20, I'm sorry. My problem was just a thrust washer falling out of place as mentioned above. I was so hesitant to tear back into it because i thought I'd be several hours again. In reality, it only took about 30min start to finish this time around and things are good. I say jump in.

Thanks for the help!

[MaxRules]

Glad it worked out for you. I didn't notice you were in mid-MO when I first posted. What vehicle are you putting the T-20 in? There aren't very many 6x6ers around here. We might have another ride set up soon if we can find a good muddy park. You can stop in at my shop sometime if you are in the area, I'm the ATV repair shop about 12 miles south of Hermann on Hwy 19.

[cclingma]

I think I've seen your shop before. The transmission is in my Hustler 980. I'd love to try a ride but must admit I still have quite a bit of work before my machine is back together. I'm replacing all axles, bearings, seals, wiring, along with this transmission rebuild.