Steering Problem on Craftsman Lawn Tractor

Posted by Dimitrios Paskoudniakis on April 15, 2009, 7:38 am

On Apr 14, 9:24 pm, letter...@invalid.com wrote:

> wrote:

> >>I just started using my tractor having bought it new at the end of the
> >>summer 2005 mowing season.
> >> Every year at this time I faithfully tune it up - change oil/oil
> >> filter/spark plugs/air filter/fuel filter, clean the carb, take off the
> >> deck/sharpen the blades, check the belts, ...
> >> Having just completed all of the above, I'm finding the steering to be
> >> very difficult. It feels like a car with power steering but the power
> >> is
> >> off - much more force is required to turn the steering wheel. It is
> >> also
> >> difficult to steer back to straight from a hard turn.
> >> What could be the problem? Could it be a simple lubrication solution,
> >> or
> >> something more significant like a bearing/bushing in a wheel/axle
> >> assembly? I see no obvious visual indications.
> >> The model is 917.275702, 24 hp, 48" deck.
> >>Maybe a dumb answer, but have you checked tire pressure. Assuming they
> >>are
> >>that type. WW

> That was a real useful reply. I just love people who quote a message
> and dont add anything !!!!
> To the OP. Lawn tractors are notorious for having problems with the
> steering gears. I's look at them. They easily wear out. Of course
> you should be lubricating them too, as well as all the bearings from
> the steering wheel to the tires. This includes the swivels, or in car
> terminology, tie rod ends. Lube the entire sterring assembly and look
> for worn parts. Dont forget to lube all wheel bearings too. - Hide quoted
> text -
> - Show quoted text -

How does it steer if the front wheels are off the ground, is it still
stiff?

______________________

I haven't tried that yet, but when on my driveway it is not as stiff as when
it is on the grass.

Posted by Dimitrios Paskoudniakis on April 19, 2009, 12:32 pm

On Apr 14, 9:24 pm, letter...@invalid.com wrote:

> wrote:

How does it steer if the front wheels are off the ground, is it still
stiff?

_________________

I jacked the front off the ground. Steering is still quite stiff, though
not quite as stiff as on the ground.

If anything, tire pressure was high. I adjusted all tires to spec pressure.

I lubricated all steering mechanisms with WD-40. This helped somewhat, but
there is still some degree of stiffness. At times I hear a squeak on turns
as well.

Whatever the source of the stiffness is, is still there, not quite as severe
with the WD-40.

Now what?

Posted by Dimitrios Paskoudniakis on April 19, 2009, 12:44 pm

> On Apr 14, 9:24 pm, letter...@invalid.com wrote:

>> wrote:

>> >>I just started using my tractor having bought it new at the end of the
>> >>summer 2005 mowing season.
>> >> Every year at this time I faithfully tune it up - change oil/oil
>> >> filter/spark plugs/air filter/fuel filter, clean the carb, take off
>> >> the
>> >> deck/sharpen the blades, check the belts, ...
>> >> Having just completed all of the above, I'm finding the steering to be
>> >> very difficult. It feels like a car with power steering but the power
>> >> is
>> >> off - much more force is required to turn the steering wheel. It is
>> >> also
>> >> difficult to steer back to straight from a hard turn.
>> >> What could be the problem? Could it be a simple lubrication solution,
>> >> or
>> >> something more significant like a bearing/bushing in a wheel/axle
>> >> assembly? I see no obvious visual indications.
>> >> The model is 917.275702, 24 hp, 48" deck.
>> >>Maybe a dumb answer, but have you checked tire pressure. Assuming they
>> >>are
>> >>that type. WW

>> That was a real useful reply. I just love people who quote a message
>> and dont add anything !!!!
>> To the OP. Lawn tractors are notorious for having problems with the
>> steering gears. I's look at them. They easily wear out. Of course
>> you should be lubricating them too, as well as all the bearings from
>> the steering wheel to the tires. This includes the swivels, or in car
>> terminology, tie rod ends. Lube the entire sterring assembly and look
>> for worn parts. Dont forget to lube all wheel bearings too. - Hide quoted
>> text -
>> - Show quoted text -

> How does it steer if the front wheels are off the ground, is it still
> stiff?
> _________________
> I jacked the front off the ground. Steering is still quite stiff, though
> not quite as stiff as on the ground.
> If anything, tire pressure was high. I adjusted all tires to spec
> pressure.
> I lubricated all steering mechanisms with WD-40. This helped somewhat,
> but there is still some degree of stiffness. At times I hear a squeak on
> turns as well.
> Whatever the source of the stiffness is, is still there, not quite as
> severe with the WD-40.
> Now what?

Also, no obvious visual issues.

I'm not sure how the wheel bearings could be a potential issue. This is for
wheel forward rotation, not lateral rotation. Besides, when I had the
tractor jacked up, the wheels spun freely just fine.

There is an axle assembly out of which the left and right spindle assemblies
come out to go to the wheels. I don't know if there is a bearing or bushing
inside where the spindles come out that could be the issue.

Posted by Steve Barker on April 19, 2009, 12:51 pm

Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:

> On Apr 14, 9:24 pm, letter...@invalid.com wrote:

>> wrote:

>>>> I just started using my tractor having bought it new at the end of the
>>>> summer 2005 mowing season.
>>>> Every year at this time I faithfully tune it up - change oil/oil
>>>> filter/spark plugs/air filter/fuel filter, clean the carb, take off the
>>>> deck/sharpen the blades, check the belts, ...
>>>> Having just completed all of the above, I'm finding the steering to be
>>>> very difficult. It feels like a car with power steering but the power
>>>> is
>>>> off - much more force is required to turn the steering wheel. It is
>>>> also
>>>> difficult to steer back to straight from a hard turn.
>>>> What could be the problem? Could it be a simple lubrication solution,
>>>> or
>>>> something more significant like a bearing/bushing in a wheel/axle
>>>> assembly? I see no obvious visual indications.
>>>> The model is 917.275702, 24 hp, 48" deck.
>>>> Maybe a dumb answer, but have you checked tire pressure. Assuming they
>>>> are
>>>> that type. WW

>
> How does it steer if the front wheels are off the ground, is it still
> stiff?
>
> _________________
>
> I jacked the front off the ground. Steering is still quite stiff, though
> not quite as stiff as on the ground.
>
> If anything, tire pressure was high. I adjusted all tires to spec pressure.
>
> I lubricated all steering mechanisms with WD-40. This helped somewhat, but
> there is still some degree of stiffness. At times I hear a squeak on turns
> as well.
>
> Whatever the source of the stiffness is, is still there, not quite as severe
> with the WD-40.
>
> Now what?
>
>

Well first of all you didn't LUBRICATE anything with WD-40. It's not a
lubricant. What you need to do is lubricate the moving parts and
different spots with chassis grease. Not oil, not graphite, not pam.
GREASE. Get in there and find all the places where things touch and
GREASE them.

Posted by WW on April 15, 2009, 10:14 am

> wrote:

>>>I just started using my tractor having bought it new at the end of the
>>>summer 2005 mowing season.
>>> Every year at this time I faithfully tune it up - change oil/oil
>>> filter/spark plugs/air filter/fuel filter, clean the carb, take off the
>>> deck/sharpen the blades, check the belts, ...
>>> Having just completed all of the above, I'm finding the steering to be
>>> very difficult. It feels like a car with power steering but the power
>>> is
>>> off - much more force is required to turn the steering wheel. It is
>>> also
>>> difficult to steer back to straight from a hard turn.
>>> What could be the problem? Could it be a simple lubrication solution,
>>> or
>>> something more significant like a bearing/bushing in a wheel/axle
>>> assembly? I see no obvious visual indications.
>>> The model is 917.275702, 24 hp, 48" deck.

>>>Maybe a dumb answer, but have you checked tire pressure. Assuming they
>>>are
>>>that type. WW

> That was a real useful reply. I just love people who quote a message
> and dont add anything !!!!

READ it again. I asked about tire pressure. WW

> To the OP. Lawn tractors are notorious for having problems with the
> steering gears. I's look at them. They easily wear out. Of course
> you should be lubricating them too, as well as all the bearings from
> the steering wheel to the tires. This includes the swivels, or in car
> terminology, tie rod ends. Lube the entire sterring assembly and look
> for worn parts. Dont forget to lube all wheel bearings too.

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Steering Problem on Craftsman Lawn Tractor - Page 2