L345dt transmission clunking

[dougmc]

My L345 started making a clunking/knocking sound . the noise goes away when I
have the clutch pedal depressed. So in neutral or in gear makes the noise. Maybe
something with the input shaft of the transmission. I removed the inspection
plate for the clutch area but didn't see anything there.I haven't used this
tractor for any heavy work in a long time. I was driving it got off to do
something as I was off of it ,it started making this noise. I first thought
rod, jump on the tractor pushed in the clutch out of habit then noise quit.It
was next to the pole barn so I drove it back in which the noise continued.
I thought about removing the top of the transmission were the shifter is. If I
do is there anything to watch out for when removing?
Any other ideas ?
Thanks

 

[ETRon]

You can't say with surety until you actually tear it down enough to find the fault but my assumption would be something like this in troubleshooting.... no noise with clutch in means behind the clutch disc. Noise in both neutral and in gear means noise is input gear forward as in neutral only the input shaft is turning. Either there is a problem with the clutch disc or the input shaft, likely the bearing. You may be able to see something with the top off but in my experience you have to tear it down. One last possibility is a weird throwout bearing that's out of adjustment (not enough free-play) but that would not be my first guess.

Ron

 

[dougmc]

Thanks for the reply. I have the parts manual but not the service manual.. When removing the top is there anything to watch out for? Should I remove the top plate with the shifter only 1st or just remove the entire top plate?
thanks
Doug

 

[ETRon]

I don't have first hand experience with this specific model but if you want to look in the top as a first step the purpose would be to gain access visually or if possible within manipulation range of the input gear. You may be able to carefully put pressure on the gear to see how much play it has or if perhaps a shift ring is out of place. I guess part of the equation is how much you have to take off to get to the top.