T20 steering issue

[tonyk72]

I cant make left turns as tight as my right side. I can make a 90-180 degree turn on the right, but can't with the left. I can barely go around the cul-de-sac using the left to brake.
I found one of the sping clips that keep the bolt head on the brake bars in the tub. The sping clip was for the left hand side, lower plunger. I popped it back in and though that would fix the problem but it didn't.
Then I adjusted the plungers and the top left fully extended was 1.22" and .75 recessed. The lower plunger was nearly the same.
Went out for a teast run and the problem remains...
Ideas on what to do next?

[amphibious drew]

Have you opened up your t-20 and checked the lining on your bands? It is also possible that one of your bands has streched, it happened to me. This would mean the adjustment for this band would be different as its longer. One more thing, does it have the same issue in reverse?

[tonyk72]

Yes, I noticed the same problem going reverse too...

[amphibious drew]

Have you the t-20 apart? Im taking a shot in the dark, but it sound like you may have had grease on that drum when it was put back together. I really wasnt expecting the issue to be forward and reverse.

[tonyk72]

I put about 15 hours on it since I had it apart...The problem came up about after 10 hours of use.

[racerone3]

Happening in froward and reverse bent band anchor pin, or put together without the tube that goes on the anchor pin to hold the band ends out. that could cause them to get out of position and wear very quickly.

another long shot. too much travel in the laterals and they are hitting on the floor board before engaging the trans properly. I had some way too long bolts holding the laterals in one of my machines and the right side bolt was catching the floorpan keeping the lateral from coming all the way back. similar symptoms, but i figured it out before I noticed what the machine was doing in reverse

[tonyk72]

How important is it to get the 5/16" of travel on the plugers? 5/16" is about .31 inches, I have about .5 inches. Could that be it?

[amphibious drew]

Like i said before, if your band stretched the travel will be different. If it solves your problem than its probably ok. Just do yourself a favor and split it to look at the lining of the bands, if you wore them prematurely and continue to drive it, you can cause serious damage to the drum which means more $$$$$

[racerone3]

How important is it to get the 5/16" of travel on the plugers? 5/16" is about .31 inches, I have about .5 inches. Could that be it?

having the adjustment tight enough could make a big difference. don't go too crazy getting it perfect for now. run the bottom plunger bolt on the left side in one turn... take a short drive and see if it's better. If not, tear into it and see what's going on.

[tonyk72]

I adjusted the lower left plunger (when facing the T20) and turned in the bolt 1 full turn, took it for a ride and noticed no difference. I tightened it another 1.5 turns and still didn't notice a difference.
I'd hate to tear apart the trans because the last time I did my issue turned out to be just a bad diamoned shifter. So I'd like to make sure I cover all my bases before I do that...I think I'll do the precise adjustment before I yank it.
I did measure the thickness of both bands connected to the top plungers last time I had it apart and they both measured .1" thickness. The other two bands looked to be about the same.

[racerone3]

when you say "facing the T-20, what do you mean? When talking about a vehicle, left and right are always in reference to sitting in the seat facing forward. I take what you said to mean that you were kneeling on the floorboard facing the rear of the machine (and the adjuster bolts) if this is the case, undo what you did, and do it to the other side. Sorry for any confusion

[tonyk72]

Disregard what I said about facing the T20, I just confused myself. The one cicrcle in yellow is the plunger I adjusted.

[racerone3]

ok, you did the one I meant, but unfortunately that would be 2 of us that confused ourselves you actually need to tighten up the top bolt on that side. sorry for the misinformation.

[tonyk72]

Well, turning the top bolt made a little difference. My bigger concern is that in reverse I have almost no braking on that side.
The other thing I noticed is that the bolts keeping the two case halves together (at least the ones I can see between the plungers) are a bit loose. I should have probably used loc-tite when I reassembled it last time.
My plan is to just pull it tomorrow and see what's going on.

Update

Fluid was low, was probably down at least 1/2 quart. Also looks like the part of the brake band that goes around the anchor pin broke. This is on the band that goes to the top left plunger. Looks like part of the lining is missing too or is this what happends when the band stretches?
My drum is scored too. In any case, it looks like I need at least a new brake band. Do you think I can get away with running the drum as-is?