How to Fix Broken Steering Rod on a Riding Lawn Mower

Save some money and fix it yourself, or buy a brand new part... it's only money, after all.
Limp the tractor back to the shop where the tools are. The fix provided has lasted two mowing seasons already and counting with no problems.

[@58gbl]

Love the video. And, you are right, seem to be having fix every dang thing right now. Your mower video was perfect for my situation. Don't know if you get this as a message, but my question: how tight to tighten the bolt. Doesn't the bolt serve as a ball joint. I'm actually having to put a bolt into the triangular plate under the body. Same idea, I think. But anyhow, thank you.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

First of all, thank you for your kind words and I am definitely glad it helped in your situation. The bolt needs to be tight enough to prevent sloppiness in the linkage, but loose enough to still allow the steering to function properly. I recommend a nylock nut or lock-tight, because the nut on the bolt won't be super tight and needs something to keep it in place. Cheers!

[@onyx7561]

I was washing my mower. Had it all clean and nice looking. Drive it to the shed to park it for the night and it suddenly won't steer. About ran over my wife. Good idea about drilling the rod. Thank you for sharing

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Mine is still running this way after about three years of service. I recommend locktite on the bolt. Cheers!

[@udavidism]

Great fix!! No need to be constantly buying parts that are designed to fail.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I couldn't agree with you more... lawn mower parts are as expensive as motorcycle, aircraft, and space shuttle parts. Crazy!

[@MrThetasteless]

I’ll go try it :)

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I just had mine out yesterday... still working after all these years.

[@justmike57]

Was that a lock nut you put on? if not, you might want to drill a hole in the nut, all the way through, and put a cotter pin in it.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I used lock-tight... blue.

[@louislyons2605]

that was a big help, i like the fly by the seat of your pants now how good job

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

There is usually a way around the high prices of just changing parts. I am still using that mower to this day!

[@udavidism]

The end of my rod that came off was on top. For a temporary fix I hammered it back together and because it was so worn the rod kept laying down and coming off. So I just looped a zip tie through the frame and loosely held it up level and it stays on for now.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

That's a good temporary fix that will get you by for a while. I've been going two years on my fix... still no problems at all. The folks that had this mower before I got it as "scrap" for $100, tore the heck out of it. Ran it into stuff, sheared the front axle support bolt, etc.. Course the transmission pin was pulled, so they thought the transmission was also shot... it wasn't. It's a great $5K (original price) mower with a wrecked front end. I have a few more fixes to tighten it up so that both tires track straight.

[@johnfreeze3021]

I was on the same page and the very same idea. Aren't you curious as to why it pivots though. Did it affect anything or is it still okay cuz that's what I'm going to do to

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Just saw your comment... doing just fine and on second season of mowing with no problems.

[@johnhampton7592]

I have to ask, did this work for long term? Just happened to me and I hate that little plastic piece. Enjoy your videos and thanks.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I am still using the tractor three years and going on four. Use locktite on the bolt or nylock nuts. Best to you!

[@MudMower3.0]

Question would it work for the side were the rod is connected to the arm that turns left or right

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I think so, yes. Just do not crank the bolt down, as it is made to rotate freely.

[@RyanBarber-il7fl]

What size drillbit did you use?

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Uh... I don't remember. Sorry!

[@johnfreeze3021]

Well I'm guessing if there was a problem you would have came back and said something already so I'm going to join mine out now wish me luck

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Mine is still working and is just fine. Remember to use nylock nuts or lock tite on the bolt. Best wishes!

[@joesphbaumgardner4579]

Here after mowing a hr ago with same issue.So I brought my first used rider 2 weeks ago. Looks like it has been hacked up. Anyway so mowed twice and fine. Let sit 3 days and started. Struggled to start, ran 15 sec died. Smelled gas and removed filter. It was soaked. So gas is throwing upward into filter. Removed carb and bad gas issue sitting prior owner. I assume float stuck. Gutted carb and cleaned. Today installed and fired right up. Hell yeah, time to mow the sitting high grass. Mowing and steering wheel cracks sounds. Mower dead stops and tires spin. Steering wheel is locked. Take a look and rod is in the dirt. Mower sits.... So, I rather buy the part which should be fun to find let alone part #. 1. What is that rod called exactly? 2. Any takers on a part # please?. Mower is a older green Craftsman 917-270821 comes up EZ3. Looks like a LT-1000. A note on my rod- the little round ball is ontop NOT bottom. Rod sits on ball ontop. I assume the rod locks into ball and holds there factory and that is it? I have one rod and that controls both wheels. Rod is left wheel.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

If folks would use stabil on their last engine run of the year before putting it away, all that gunk would not have to be cleaned out of the bowl or jets. Good on you for a DIY carb clean. As for your part... it is very difficult to say without a pic. Unfortunately, YT does not allow that kind of thing in the comments. One thing you might check is putting the make and model number in Google with "steering schematic." Many parts dealers also have schematics so you can visually pick the part without having to know the exact name for it. Best of luck, my friend!

[@joesphbaumgardner4579]

@@HelicoolsHelipad Thanks. I know well about bad gas. Learned about smaller carbs and all long ago. I work on my own stuff. I have a pretty good pack rat collection of push mowers, blowers and trimmers. Riders is new to me as I just got this used one. In my two stoke stuff I run 90 oct no eth gas. As year ends I also treat with same above you mentioned. I have got alot of good used stuff based on not starting etc. The likes of 3 Craftsman push mowers looking new. About 9 blowers Craftsman etc with mainly wreaked carbs etc. Many have no clue and trash stuff. I pretty much had a hunch this rider was bad gas. As for the rod, I'm a pretty good parts searcher and solved other day by searches. Knowing most mowers is MTD parts and most parts swap fine just mower is rebadged. So the rod is the steering drag link part 532156438. Fitting many mowers I would say. Orderd that and waiting. But yes, treat and good gas is key to no bad gas sitting. I also Seafoam and Marv oil often.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

@@joesphbaumgardner4579 Oh dang! I totally forgot about the seafoam! Use it in my diesels often, but forgot about the riders. Whoops! Thanks for reminding me about that.

[@Bub_dean]

What kind of bolt did you buy?

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Honestly, it was what I had in my bolt draw. A grade 5 would be sufficient.

[@dukeman7595]

How do expect that to swivel if you tightened the bolt you added, you defeated the the reason it has a ball joint made to turn steer and swivel!

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I expect it to work just fine, as I have washers on both sides of the bracket. This lawn mower is still in service with this repair... which I have 3 mowing seasons on so far. The nut is not torqued super tight... use lock tight or a nyloc nut to keep it from coming off with use. Best of luck.

[@bobpatterson6897]

They make it a ball for a reason bed fix bro

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Still on the job mowing grass three years later without a problem. I’d call that a win. 😁

[@mikesecondo2254]

Does the word Retainer clip mean anything??

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Mike Secondo depends on how sloppy you want the steering to be, I guess. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. 😊

[@mikesecondo2254]

@@HelicoolsHelipad already done...like new

[@robincoleman881]

Would have been a lot easier to have fitted a new retaining clip, even making one.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

I think even with a retaining clip, much like the rope I used to get it back to the shop, it would only hold the joint in place, but do nothing to tighten up the steering. You are right, it would have been easier, but I prefer to have a little bit tighter steering. Thanks for adding another option for folks to try. Cheers!

[@65csx83]

Fortunate you didn't become a reconstructive surgical MD.

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

No, I became a helicopter instructor pilot. Guaranteed I had more fun and made more life and death decisions. It's a mower. The first task is to get it back to the shop where the tools are.... so I'm allowed a little improvisation, aren't I?

[@davidg813]

Nothing but ads.. where is the video?

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

That might be a question for KZbin. I don't have that much control over it.