JD 2210 BRAKE FAILURE

BACARDI-151 · Jul 18, 2009

Greetings,

I have a 2004 John Deere 2210 with 275 hrs. I use the machine for all sorts of light yard work as well as mowing. Recently I had an emergency incident that required the brakes to work on a very steep hill. Previously,I had only ever used the brakes as a parking brake. The brakes immediately failed and would not stop the tractor. The tractor was not in gear and it was uncontrollable. I did manage to get the machine stopped and avoided a crash.

I took a peak at the service manual for the machine and all the linkages look to be reasonably adjusted. It really seems like the brake components are worn out. If this proves true is I am kind of shocked. The service manual states you have to drop the trans axle out of the tractor to service the brakes.

Anyone have any experience with this problem? It looks like a big job for what should be routine maintenance. Has anyone paid a dealer to look at the brakes on a 2210 ?

kennyd · Jul 18, 2009

Welcome to TBN

I cannot believe your brakes are shot...Has to be something else! How much travel does your pedal have?

BACARDI-151 · Jul 18, 2009

HI,

I have a copy of the service manual for the tractor. So i have gone completely through the brake system diag / repair guide. I did all of the measurements in the service section.

The brake system feels the same as it ever did in terms of pedal feel. I had the tire off this afternoon and got in there to check the operation of the diff lock and linkages etc. All looks fine. It all points to the friction plates located inside of the transaxle.

So reading the service manual this afternoon it looks like the brake disk pack is about the diameter of a small bagle. Not very robust. Brake service requires removal of the transaxle. looks like an 8 hr job. JD is quoting $ 180 for the brake parts. I am guessing a dealer will charge $ 1000 for this repair.

This is the only time I have ever put the brakes under a moving load in the 5 years i have had the machine. ( bought new) Not cool they failed the first time I needed them.

LBrown59 · Jul 18, 2009

BACARDI-151 said:
Greetings,

I have a 2004 John Deere 2210 with 275 hrs. I use the machine for all sorts of light yard work as well as mowing. Recently I had an emergency incident that required the brakes to work on a very steep hill. Previously,I had only ever used the brakes as a parking brake. The brakes immediately failed and would not stop the tractor. The tractor was not in gear and it was uncontrollable. I did manage to get the machine stopped and avoided a crash.

I took a peak at the service manual for the machine and all the linkages look to be reasonably adjusted. It really seems like the brake components are worn out. If this proves true is I am kind of shocked. The service manual states you have to drop the trans axle out of the tractor to service the brakes.

Anyone have any experience with this problem? It looks like a big job for what should be routine maintenance. Has anyone paid a dealer to look at the brakes on a 2210 ?

Like The BX kubotas the Jd 2210 and 2305s Don't have a stopping brake.

gasbag · Jul 18, 2009

So I guess you were in neutral ? I had a similar experience with my 2305, I keep it in gear all the time now, nearly all my work is on steep hills and I don't rely on the brake much. Mark

LBrown59 · Jul 18, 2009

That brake is just for leeping the tractor from starting to move .It is not to stop the tractor when it is all ready moving.

gasbag said:
So I guess you were in neutral ? I had a similar experience with my 2305, I keep it in gear all the time now, nearly all my work is on steep hills and I don't rely on the brake much. Mark

That brake is just for leeping the tractor from starting to move .
It is not to stop the tractor when it is all ready moving.

LBrown59 · Jul 18, 2009

gasbag said:
So I guess you were in neutral ? I had a similar experience with my 2305, I keep it in gear all the time now, nearly all my work is on steep hills and I don't rely on the brake much. Mark

The brake won't work unless the tractor is in gear.

BACARDI-151 · Jul 20, 2009

My local dealer is quoting around $ 2000 + for this repair. Yikes! Im a pretty savvy mechanic, Ill be pulling it down myself. Ill post later on my findings.

If you own one of these tractors, NEVER use the brake for anything other than a parking brake.

gasbag · Jul 20, 2009

I think the problem was that you were not in gear, the brakes are just not powerful enough to stop a freewheeling tractor. I know it is a problem when you exit the seat and the tractor dies, then you have to put it into neutral to start again thus causing a potential freewheeling situation. There are other ways around this problem. Hope this helps. Mark

davkir · Jul 20, 2009

I'm not sure if this is useful, but I have a 2305 which I understand is very similar to a 2210.
While I don't use the brakes very often, they work quite well with the range lever in neutral.
However, they only work on the rear tires unless you are in FWD.

orlo · Jul 20, 2009

Bicardi:

Not sure if it's what happened to you, but I believe if the brakes are on, the axles can still
spin if the diff isn't locked. (In different directions). I've had the case where one wheel is
on something slippery, I'm not in gear, and one wheel slips while the other has traction and I skid down the hill very fast. I've had this happen on my 2305 and on my 3720, not sure if this is what happened to you. Keeping it in 4wd with the brakes on can avoid this. Personally
I've found just the rear wheels will slide down a hill easily if I'm in 2wd regardless of if I use the brake or leave
it in gear.

I've had it where I'm in gear, one wheel skids down the hill and the other one freewheels all while I'm in gear.

BACARDI-151 · Jul 21, 2009

I pulled the transaxle out of the tractor. So far 3.25 hrs to pull it and get to the brakes. Check out the pictures I posted. The friction plates are clearly burnt and the steel stationary plates show signs of over heating. This really is a wimpy brake. So far not that big of a job. I will order the brake pack from the dealer tomorrow. The JD service manual is awesome! Very good step by step pull down instructions with pictures. Ill post more pictures of the new parts and the install job. If you want to know what the tranny looks like in your 2210 here is a picture of it hanging from a chain fall.

orlo · Jul 22, 2009

Bicardi:

NICE pictures.

I hope the replacement and reassembly goes as well as the disassembly did.

gasbag · Jul 22, 2009

Wow, 3.25 hours for this teardown seems real fast to me, good job. Thanks for the pics and the tec manual review. Please keep the pics coming. Mark

Willl · Jul 22, 2009

Bacardi, are you the first owner ?

Almost looks like somebody was driving with the brake set to burn so bad ?

JohnDeere4300 · Jul 22, 2009

I can't believe that the brakes needed replaced so early.

You must have some really steep hills.

BACARDI-151 · Jul 28, 2009

Brake job complete !

I reassembled the tractor last night. It took 5.5 hrs bringing a total job time to 8.75 hrs start to finish. This includes time to read the service manual every step of the way and do some searching for torque spec's during re assembly.

Final analysis found that the brake discs when measured in a stack were under spec by .050. Only 1 friction disc was undersized.. All but one disc was the same thickness as the new pads. All friction discs were glazed. This is a very poor design. The tolerances are very tight leaving virtually no headroom for wear. This is not a stopping brake it is a a parking brake.

Attempt this job only if you have a well equipped shop with a chain fall and all the proper tools. A novice mechanic can get in over your head. The transaxle is all aluminum and you can easily strip a bolt and be in for more than you bargained for. I used an assembly lube on all fasteners during the re-assembly and had no problems. The JD service manual is awesome it lists torque values for dry and lubed fasteners.

Now I have to mow my lawn !

JDFANATIC · Aug 3, 2009

BACARDI-151 said:
Brake job complete !

I reassembled the tractor last night. It took 5.5 hrs bringing a total job time to 8.75 hrs start to finish. This includes time to read the service manual every step of the way and do some searching for torque spec's during re assembly.

Final analysis found that the brake discs when measured in a stack were under spec by .050. Only 1 friction disc was undersized.. All but one disc was the same thickness as the new pads. All friction discs were glazed. This is a very poor design. The tolerances are very tight leaving virtually no headroom for wear. This is not a stopping brake it is a a parking brake.

Attempt this job only if you have a well equipped shop with a chain fall and all the proper tools. A novice mechanic can get in over your head. The transaxle is all aluminum and you can easily strip a bolt and be in for more than you bargained for. I used an assembly lube on all fasteners during the re-assembly and had no problems. The JD service manual is awesome it lists torque values for dry and lubed fasteners.

Now I have to mow my lawn !

Bacardi,

Thanks for documenting this. I never use the parking brake on my 2210 for anything than parking, but will be aware of its limitations after your post.

Willl · Aug 3, 2009

Do most of JD 'wet brakes' seem just barely adequate for the job ?

I've only experienced 1 wet system and it was on a 4410, just seemed mushy.

My 790 with dry brakes could put you through the windshield if it had one.

jenkinsph · Aug 4, 2009

Willl said:
Do most of JD 'wet brakes' seem just barely adequate for the job ?

I've only experienced 1 wet system and it was on a 4410, just seemed mushy.

My 790 with dry brakes could put you through the windshield if it had one.

Wet disc brakes work very well, I have locked up the rear wheels at high speed in a panic stop. If they feel mushy you may have air in the lines.

Steve