Has Anyone Done A Brake Job On A Massey Ferguson 165

I bought a 1975 Massey Ferguson 2wd Diesel 165 Tractor that was supposed to have been completely reworked about 3 years ago. It runs and sounds good with no leaks, but it definitely has no brakes. I was curious if this is something that someone could do themselves and if the parts are going to be easy to obtain.

Hello, does your tractor have 'dry' or
'wet' (oil immersed) brakes? In the UK a
'75 165 would have the more efficient
'wet' brakes. I have an inkling that dry
brakes were kept on longer in the US.
First of all are the brakes adjusted
correctly and with all components working
freely? Adjustment should be done by
disconnecting the brake rods, adjusting
up to just lock the wheels at the
actuators. Tie the pedals up to the
steering wheel then adjust the brake rods
so that you can just fit the pins.
Slacken slightly at each actuator until
the wheels are free to turn. Remember
that the wheels will still take effort to
turn them through the epicyclic reduction
units. If you still have no brakes then
overhaul is needed. Wet or dry the job is
not difficult but the axle housings are
very heavy and you should have some means
of handling them such as an engine hoist.
Seal replacement can be awkward in the
dry system. Wet brakes will probably be
worn out. Dry brakes will probably have
oil contamination on the discs due to
seal failure. Buy a genuine MF workshop
manual if you do not already have one.
DavidP,South Wales

Spot on Dave, US 165 has two DRY brake sizes, earlier 7 inch like the MF 65, 85, and Super 90 used. Later dry brakes were larger diameter. My brother has a late US 165 that BOTH sides STILL lock up solid when applied, WITH new discs and actuator units too on both sides. Not sure what we will try next. The Late US 200 series oil brakes work SO much better..

I've found that smoothing the actuator contact points in the axle housings and thin application of copper grease at these points has worked well. It's not a permanent cure but should last a couple of years.< Have done this on a couple of early 165's and Leylands. br>DavidP, South Wales

I appreciate this information very much. I will purchase the manual, as I don't know anything about how to make the adjustments. I could not even tell you if they were dry or wet, but I was told that being a 1975 unit that they were probably dry. I will dry the adjustment per your information provided and go from there. Also, if anyone has any information on a fair priced front end loader, I would like to add this as well. I have found a few aftermarket units, but I cannot justify $10K for a an attachment to a $5K tractor. Was even curious if one could just be cut and modified to fit.

If you have a late production 165 with the square axle housings they do have a wet brake conversion kit for them that costs around $1100.

Early round axle housing.


Late square axle housing.

I have not done a 165, but on my 65 the real challenge is disassembly and re-assembly. It is difficult and dangerous if you do not have the proper tools and experience. I had the brakes done by a shop. Parts were cheap, labor was the major cost, new brakes are OK, but not great.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the cost of brake job with parts and labor?