350B Steering Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts

[Kaiverol]

Was finally making progress on my steering clutch rebuild today. I was torquing the six pressure plate bolts (20 ft lbs) and had all bolts snug first. Got five bolts to the required torque, but the sixth bolt snapped before I got to torque. While I can sort this out myself, just wonder what went wrong.

First off, these bolts were probably the original bolts so I had to do a lot of cleanup to get the rust off them. I tested the bolts in the holes and all went in well. However, the lock washers were so old that there was no lock left, so I used some blue locktite.

I suppose there is a chance that my torque wrench did not click or I didn’t notice because it was too gradual.

Regardless of the cause, I need to get new bolts. They are 7/8” long and my bolt dealer does not stock this length, so I guess I just order from the JD dealer. We are still in lockdown here, so I can’t just walk into stores to see what I can find. I guess what I’m asking is when in doubt, get grade 8?

I am also a bit worried about my brake band bolt. I snapped that way back and fixed it by cutting the detent ring off the old bolt and welded it onto a new grade 5 bolt. I also had to use a die to add an inch of thread. Am I asking for trouble?

[Lavoy]

What you have experienced is one of the reasons I seldom reuse bolts if I can help it. There was probably a crack in the bolt, and it just finally broke. A 1" bolt should go with no issue.
I don't remember if break band bolts are grade 5 or 8, but it should not be an issue.
Lavoy