FIX THAT STEERING EASY ( Troy Bilt, Craftsman, Cub Cadet , Yard Machines)

#repair #lawnmower #mechanic
These model MTD riding lawnmowers have a problem with the steering shaft and bushing wearing out causing loss of steering or popping out of the gear. Lets fix it and see how easy this job can be done.

[@tuneophilegym]

Thanks for all your crucial gems of knowledge on repairing lawn equipment. I recently replaced the spindles on my LT 3000. Now waiting on parts to arrive.(l&r brake assemblies and spring) Hope mower gets some extra years of life. Jim from southeast Texas

[@rickmartell4362]

Very helpful. Thank You, this will be my afternoon project!

[@williammoore5924]

Hello Alex, thanks for the DIY Video. Often wondered about the process In replacing those parts. You always do a great job explaining tasks. Have a great weekend. Take care!!!😊

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support. It means a lot.

[@cjettaccord]

They obviously view these products as disposable, that screw is impossible to remove. Why wouldn't that be a bolt instead of a screw that strips.

[@thekraken4548]

So you get frustrated and buy a new mower.

[@zackskinner7466]

Use a torch to heat up the bolt, threadlocker displaces, bolt comes out so easy; if you stare at it for too long itll fall out.

[@gavinfranklin8068]

Impact worked fine

[@matthewhaynes9909]

And of course China makes a replacement with a proper bolt not a Phillips screw 😂

[@philliphall5198]

Thanks for sharing information and advice 😊

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for the support and stopping by 😎😎🇺🇸

[@dommm111]

Very useful, thanks so much

[@freedommowers420]

You're welcome!

[@JinxedJax]

Everything I know about mowers I've learned from Alex

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you!!!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks for showing how this can be done Logan. This will come in handy for sure. TAke 'er easy!!!

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for stopping by :). I hope this helps some folks out. It’s a pretty common problem on these machines.

[@saintgermain6031]

Hey Alex, this is exactly what I was looking for. I have a little play in my steering on my mower where the wheel is always turning toward to right like it needs a wheel alignment. I think this is the ticket for me to replace it. Thanks 👍

[@freedommowers420]

I hope this helps and you get it all fixed up. Thank you for stopping by!!!

[@ImTheBestDad]

Great video. Earned a sub^^

[@tommy-time5240]

Alex, i picked up a Pony over the weekend with the same issue. I appreciate the parts list, parts are on order.

[@freedommowers420]

Absolutely! I’m glad it could help. You can always send me an email if you need anything.

[@davidellis7695]

Good video. I replaced the same steering shaft on my brothers Troy Bilt rider. The upper gear area was packed with gravel and dirt and had locked up which made the gear wear out much quicker. Unfortunately the steering shaft screw keeps falling out. Will try using some extra locktite. Removing the deck and tilting the mower on its side makes this much easier. Just lean it against a chair.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you very much. Yes they aren’t too bad, but certainly aren’t the highest quality parts. They get damaged easily, but I’m hoping the lock tight works good for you. I appreciate you stopping by the channel

[@jacksmith4282]

thanks!!!!!!!!

[@Big_Johns]

Nice video Alex, I had to change the hex-flange out on my old 07 Cub Cadet LT1050 several times, didn't take long to wear them out. My son now uses that mower at his house so he'll be changing it out next time. 🤣

[@freedommowers420]

That’s right!! Pass on the tradition on flange changing hahahaha.

[@Big_Johns]

🤣🤣

[@timluther3431]

Yep, my 2013 troy bilt pony is a little different of a setup- but still was the same problem. I dropped the deck just to make it easier - takes 5 minutes. Good informative video though.👍

[@liljoeii6091]

Yeah thank you for that video I have Is troy bilt Mind a couple years old I was having problems with that pulley It makes the speed I got some b blaster up and there. And it seemed like I got a little bit better. They Make things any cheaper boy I ain't gonna be nothing left a plastic Thank you for the video

[@freedommowers420]

That’s the truth on the cheap parts. They are meant to fall apart. Those variable speed pulley are a royal pain. Also since they made it where you have two transmission belts you have a much bigger job when they go bad as well as the belts have to be OEM replacement.

[@AcL5008]

Feel like I owe you a sub. You inspired me to go pick up a "broken" mower and fix it. I picked up a Troybilt Bronco 42 cut with the good ole hex flange bushing issue on the steering column. Here we go!

[@cup_and_cone]

My Pny 42 has about 1/8 turn of slop in the steering but it does not pop. How much is normal amount of play in the wheel and is there any other adjustment for gear mesh other than replacing parts?

[@johnlallemand8554]

the steering on by troy bronco isnt loose but the right turn is sharper than the left so how do i adjust that,,,thanks

[@robcole332]

This video is about 10 years late for me. I had that problem on an old Wheel Horse/Toro. It quit turning and the Toro dealer didn’t have a clue. I uses fender shims to change the angle of the sector gear to make it work. Your way would have been WAY EASIER.

[@nancydkeating8829]

Having a problem with the steering wheel I have a lawn mower that's a yard machine but it's got two spark plugs so I don't know what you're telling me is the same thing that's concerning my lawn mower or not so I'm going to look see and hopefully I can fix it thank you

[@rotwiler7674]

I have about a 8 year old Craftsman YT4500 54 inch briggs xrd 26hp v twin. On really tight turns wheels with turn so far that I assume is blinding. Not sure what to start with to fix that.

[@stantomas]

I have a troy bilt. It turns sharp to the right but not as sharp left. What is the problem. Can this be adjusted? Thanks.

[@titloveryummy1]

Channel locks = Vice grips

[@debbietaylor5117]

My steering goes all ths way around turning right! Turns fine left

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

Good info but good luck getting that Phillips head screw out with anything but an angle grinder, lol. I've done three of these and because of the angle I'll be damned if I could get that screw loose. Angle grinders rule! 😂

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Nice tip Alex. Is it possible to remove that gear from the shaft and turn it upside down, or is it machined on the shaft. Looks like you found a good short cut to fixing it! ✌🇺🇸

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you Roger. Unfortunately the gear is welded to the shaft so there is no way around it besides pulling it. I guess they made it that way to make it more or a pain.

[@charlesphipps7593]

How do you get the shaft out from the steering wheel? mine will not come loose

[@UhBuddy1976]

Would an impact driver help remove the bottom shaft screw?

[@freedommowers420]

Probably so.

[@MatthewArvidson]

Hey boss! Question, do you recommend replacing the gear as well if you’re already replacing the shaft? I noticed Amazon has kits with the gear as well

[@freedommowers420]

It wouldn’t hurt if the gear looks damaged at all.

[@MiguelAvinaJr]

Would you be able to share the part number for that as well? Thank you in advance

[@TheStarforce2]

does this include the craftsman lt1000? I just bought one and the steering seems sus. Also the drive belt for the snowblower started smoking and came off the pully. thats what I get for FB marketplace but atleast I got it for 450 and it does run and the snowblower works and its in good shape, the only sucky part is it's stuck (because it wont blow) and has no rear weight so its stuck blocking car in .

[@freedommowers420]

The steering setup is different on the craftsman lt1000’s.

[@pokey4200]

I replaced all of my steering parts and you'd need to be incredible hulk to turn the wheel now ... Not sure if I left something off or what, but man I feel like I'm gonna break the wheel to turn that beast now

[@scottyengland607]

Yeah me too, how is that fixed

[@cup_and_cone]

Is it tight with the front wheels jacked up off the ground?

[@pokey4200]

So I did figure this out. I ordered my parts from Amazon, and the steering piece they sent me that the splined shaft moves was not correct for my mower. The center bolt hole was too big and it would not center around the spacer. I had to order one directly from MTD. Also if you don't put the spacer in on the center bolt it will bind up same way... Very critical that the center hole is same size as spacer...

[@pokey4200]

@@scottyengland607 I had the wrong steering piece. The one with the teeth... Center hole was too big spacer. I also left the spacer out of it first time and that allowed me to tighten it up so tight it wouldn't turn.

[@scottyengland607]

@@pokey4200 Thanks! I know all my parts are the right ones but I feel like I put the spacer on the shoulder bolt instead of the center bolt. I couldn't tell when I was dismantling the sector plate because of my big hands so my tiny brain just assumed it went there lol. Also my steering rod spline has a lot of up and down play on the hex flange bearing. I think the body is bored out and not sure of my next move when that flange cap and screw falls out; again.

[@gordbaker896]

Try using some Brass Shim stock to fill the Annular space and grease it.

[@freedommowers420]

Good idea!!! Thank you.

[@DMB088]

I'm about to order the parts for my 2013 pony. The part number I found on the parts manual is different than what you gave, but might be the same. Just in case it helps someone else, the part # I found is 738-0919A (shows replaced with 738-0919B on troybilt website). I saw on another video, someone said they replaced the screw with a hex bolt but the bolt keeps loosening. I thought a lock washer might be good to prevent that. Or some loctite. Have you had any issues with that?

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you for sharing the information!! I have not put locktite on them but I would think that could help from having any issues of that screw backing out.

[@robertmailhos8159]

Strange thing is that they are not easy to find the husskee mowers that was sold at tractor supply back in the day

[@freedommowers420]

Yes I have only seen a few of the huskee tractors. They are getting hard to come by. Hope all is well and thank you for the support as always.

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@freedommowers420 your welcome Alex I go to the doctor Monday morning and have to get my knees fixed up

[@captnkarl4401]

I appreciate the video but found out removing the Phillips head screw was VERY DIFFICULT. I replaced the Phillips head screw with a bolt to make future repairs easier. Use lock-tight on the replacement screw to prevent it from falling out.

[@freedommowers420]

They should have done the bolt to begin with. It was a bad design and very difficult to get off.

[@stevehutchison3598]

The dash on my Troy riding mower is all 1 pieces

[@coleramus561]

3:04--Dude, clearly that is a locking squeezer

[@chriswelch532]

Part #?

[@NYMArts]

I just bought a Craftsman T110 brand new from Lowes. Loses steering everytime I take it out. BRAND NEW. I've had it 8 weeks. Bringing it back for a FULL refund tomorrow. $2200. Says "Craftsman" on it, but it isn't.

[@arcanewyrm6295]

3:06 That's not Chan-L-Lock pliers. That's a Vise-Grip pliers.

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow that's much easier to do

[@freedommowers420]

Thank you! Hoping it helps some folks :)

[@ericgrimes921]

Those would be vise grips not channel locks

[@samkitty5894]

Today's mowers are crap...in every way. Who thought having s steel shaft inside metal bushing without lubrication was a good idea? Plus using a Philp's head screw in the hardest to get location. I have to replace mine every season. I used to have an American made Simplicity tractor for 40 years. Never ever had any issues with it, especially not with steering. When I gave it away it had original seat, bearings, deck, tires, and ball joints. Match that China!

[@alolipa]

Ohhh I already changed it did not show the process seriously

[@freedommowers420]

I’m sorry if it wasn’t helpful. I showed all of the parts and walked through every step. Thank you for taking time to comment. I’m sure there are better channels to watch.

[@NYMArts]

Buy a John Deere.