Riding mower steering problems - won't turn left (or right). How to fix

My Craftsman T1700 tractor won't turn left; can only make right turns. Solution works on some other models and brands like Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and John Deere.

[@angelawest1524]

Thanks so much for the video!!! I have a Craftsman T110 and it's been a fixer upper since day 1, but my brother gave it to me for free, so I really can't complain. It started not turning left the last time I mowed and I also broke the PTO cable, so it has been sitting while I waited for the new cable to be delivered. Got it installed today and figured I'd check KZbin for any solutions to the turning problem. Followed your steps and sure enough the channel was packed with hard gunk. Cleaned everything and reinstalled everything and BAM!! It now turns better than ever!!! As a 45yo woman who doesn't have anyone to help me, I was able to do both the PTO cable and the steering gears myself in under 4 hours!!! (On a gravel driveway, no shade, 100 degrees and humid here in GA, and frequent water breaks 🙋🏼‍♀️🥵) I can't express how happy I am to you !!!!!😁😁😁

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great job! Doing this job by yourself if you haven't done these kinds of repairs before is impressive! Glad it worked!

[@bhumane8642]

WOW! THANK YOU! My mower wouldn't turn left. I came across this video. Mine is. TROY BILT Pony and set up the same way as yours. We took it apart and there was dirt trapped in the slot. Put it back together, even after forgetting to use a marker, and all is well. My mower turns beautifully!!! I hope others come across this video that have a Troy built.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear this was the same as yours and you were able to get it to work!

[@iconastudios4334]

Wow... followed the step-by-step instructions to this video; and sure enough... there was compressed dirt that prevented the steering wheel to turn all the way left. Literally in the same area. KZbin is a BEAST!!!. Thanks so much "Fix Everything Yourself".

[@FixEverythingYourself]

You're welcome!

[@jimleone449]

Thank you so very much! Your video worked successfully on my craftsman! You save me $100 for pick up and delivery by a repair shop, $200 for the repair, and another $200 or $300 because I don’t have to hire a lawn service while I wait 3 weeks for the repair to be completed. The video was clear, concise, and it was really helpful to know I needed both a 1/2 inch and 9/16 wrench.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear you saved yourself some money! Thanks for the kind words!

[@Nikepo]

You sir are a God send. I cannot believe this wasn't caught as a design flaw. Appreciate your video so much!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear it. And thank you!

[@joyceleonard4715]

Thank you so much! After only making right turns for most of last season, I found this video and showed it to my husband this spring. It took him quite a bit longer than your 7 minute video to make the repair, (bolts were hard to remove) but once he was done, voila! I can now turn left again! I can once again circle the trees, make 3 point turns, zigzag around the bushes--yahoo! Thank you so much. My time spent mowing is so much less frustrating!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

That's great! I was just as frustrated before I decided to take it apart and figure out what the problem was. And it takes me more than 7 minutes, too 🙂

[@jimfernandez9458]

This my third repair of a Craftsman T140. First time I followed this great how to video and got it fixed. The next two times, now that I understand the mechanics, I used an electric pressure washer set to pin stream and cleaned out the crack while moving wheel left to right. Worked perfectly and was a real time saver. BUT I'd have never understood how to do until I took it apart so many kudos to this Guy.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

👍

[@BallBusta]

That's honestly the quickest way to do it. As long as you're not blasting away at the electrical connections, you're good to go.

[@thomasstinson5519]

Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks for this video. It helped a lot getting realigned. Lost thirty minutes because first time I put the shaft on backwards like a genius, but all squared away now. Thank you sir!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear this was helpful. Thanks for the note!

[@davidg8431]

Short cut: No need to disassemble the gear mechanism. Simply remove bolt the gear rides on 1/2 inch. Use short screw driver or any other tool that will fit in the hole. Turn wheels until you see debris then simply push them through the hole. Repeat until clear. Finish by simply using a leaf blower or any form of compressed air to clear debris out from under gear. To prevent this from occurring again simply clean under the hood with leaf blower a few times during the season.

[@coreeburnett5992]

A few folks have suggested using compressed air to remove the debris. I just did this procedure on my Craftsman. Disassembly WAS necessary, as compressed air could not even begin to remove the hard-packed grass and dust. (I tried that first!) Thank you for this video!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Right, the debris in mine is way too hard to blow out. Thanks for the comment!

[@johnhart6320]

I just ran through these steps on my 2018 Troy-Bilt Bronco. I think it has a tighter turning radius now than when they dropped it off here back in 2018. Thanks Man!!!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@bhumane8642]

Me too!! I just fixed my troy bilt Pony and I think it turns better now too!!

[@jmpjag]

Same here with my Craftsman. Brand new and left turns were never this sharp. Always thought it was designed this way. Finally got to the point I couldn’t make left turns and found this video. Now left turns are as sharp as right.

[@pkwebdezign72]

Thank you so much!!! My exact problem. Fixed it myself and drilled a hole in the frame and inserted an air tip on the bottom. I can now just hook up to my compressor tip and blow it out without disassembling everytime. Cheers...

[@FixEverythingYourself]

That's a great idea, Kris. I think I'll do that next time. Thanks!

[@BooneDogggy]

Did you try blowing it out before drilling the hole?

[@chrisautrey640]

This was the exact fix to my issue. I lost my complete ability to turn left. After some generous WD40 on the bolts the plate was off and I found it packed with solid mud on the one side. Thanks for the great video.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks. Glad you got it figured out.

[@clintharrell2258]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! You saved me from yet another cussing fit with my mower! This thing has frustrated me so many times! I had no idea there was a channel that could be clogged with debris. Your video was so much appreciated! GOD bless you sir!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad this helped! I was very annoyed when mine wouldn't turn so I bit the bullet and took it apart. At least it doesn't cost anything to fix it 🙂

[@brianmarchant2598]

That's exactly what my craftsman is doing. I'm thankful that people like put videos like this on KZbin.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Excellent! It's a really frustrating problem but not terribly difficult to fix. Good luck!

[@squirrel513]

Helped me fix my lawnmower steering thankyou for your knowledge and step by step tutorial subscribed

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear it. Thanks!

[@robertbennett6418]

Had had this problem for awhile. Will not turn left. Know how to fix now. Great video. Thanks.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks!

[@jeffquinn6186]

This fixed my mower. I couldn’t get the 1/2 bolt out. With the 9/16 out I was able to rotate the top plate, that exposed the grove that was packed with dirt. With a long flat screwdriver I cleaned everything I could get to. It helped to turn the steering to the right that exposed more of the groove.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

👍

[@bublcube]

Man, you saved me time, money and a waste of anger at my troy- bilt horse. A thousand thank yous!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!

[@JimJamMS]

This worked great on my Troy-Bilt Bronco 46. Thank you so much!

[@chadillac7475]

Thank you for posting this. I have the identical mower, and it won't turn left at all. Getting ready to get to work on it.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good luck. This will fix it. At least for a while.

[@gozzman01]

My Troy-Bilt is doing the SAME thing!! Same setup as your craftsman...time to get to work!! Thanks for the video!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good luck!

[@terrylamb4748]

Bought a new mower last May and had the same problem your video took care of my problem thanks

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good deal, Terry. Glad you got it fixed.

[@joannefamelio1412]

Our was that way from day 1!! They swore there was nothing wrong with it, Now it finally popped today, I'm wanting to Order the parts from Sears Craftsman, I'm also thinking to order the parts were the Wheels go on to.

[@jmpjag]

Son of a frickin’ biscuit!!!! This worked!!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I mowed my 1/2 acre lot last week using only right turns and backing up. Took forever AND a whole tank of gas. 😂

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad this helped. I remember the frustration of not being able to turn both directions!

[@rudyleffler5020]

Thanks for this! It was a pain in the butt, but I couldn’t have done it without your help!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad it helped!

[@mongocain813]

Thank you so much. My mower is a Troy Bilt Bronco but it looks the same as your Craftsman. The bolts where a pain to get off but I got it all back together and it steers great now!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great!!

[@JpInHi808]

Good video. Very useful info for a precised fix. Have the exact same mower with the exact same problem. But not anymore. Thank you.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Excellent. I like hearing about that! Thanks!

[@HIMI2003]

I was trying figure out where in the heck did that gear spacer was suppose to go. 4 months Omg thank you

[@FixEverythingYourself]

😄😄👍👍

[@douglasstanfield5052]

Brilliant video, thank you. Doesn't really matter which "brand" of tractor you have, they are all the same underneath

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks! Great point!

[@chrisweber6129]

Thank you I thought the steering linkage was bent but this was the problem the whole time!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great! Much cheaper than bent steering!!!

[@juanitacarter3708]

Nicely done- great instructions; great step by step guidance - thank you 😊

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@mikecole30820]

Damn! Mine has been doing tgis same thimg and I never thought to look under the gear! Nice job!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks! Glad you'll be able to get yours fixed, too!

[@SantaAnaCreations]

u saved my life i bin having this problem for years and never figured it out thanks

[@FixEverythingYourself]

That's great. Always good to hear when a video is helpful!

[@zaneorren]

This is probably THE MOST USEFUL video ever created. My mower now turns again. 🫡

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Love it! Thanks!

[@MariaGarcia-id5ot]

Worked just like said. Thanks. Probably saved 100 bucks.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome 👍

[@nolan.t]

If you have a compressor you can blow out the packed garbage without disassembly (at least on my model). Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side and blow out the exposed slot, then turn it all the other ay and blow out the other side of the slot. A LOT easier than taking it apart, although the instructions work great if you are compressor-less.

[@JoseVargas-km1xq]

Thank you cause of you. I don't know how much I saved doing this myself

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome!

[@TheJcrandazzo]

Thanks,very good video .Got me right to the source of my steering problem.I did cut out the side sheet metal in order to facilitate impact ratchet as I feel this will end up happening again so I want quick and easy access to the bolts.I closed the opening with removable plate access cover.I only loosened the bolts (did not remove)and was able to blow out the restrictive debris from the gears

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks for the great feedback, Joe/Joseph. I appreciate the good tips, too!

[@johnkaufman1256]

Video very helpful, had the same problem every year after leaves. Kinda awkward area to work and have discovered periodically spraying WD40 into the gap on extreme right and left turn seems to dislodge/dissolve the debris and restore turning radius without having to disassemble and reassemble.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks for the tip 👍👍

[@ChopFooey]

I also replace all four plastic flange bearings on each front axle pin and it really helped making it easier to turn as well. Part# 954-0467A

[@logolowe]

BRO! Thank you so much! Problem fixed!!!! You have no idea!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome!! It was such a pain before I fixed it.

[@robertwalker1746]

Great video. Just happened to mine and with your vid, can fix myself and not take to shop. Thanks a lot!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

That's great, Robert! It was very frustrating when it first happened after buying the tractor new but I was glad when it turned out to be pretty easy to fix.

[@robhitchcock3117]

without taking everything apart I blew it off with a leaf blower then Soaked that area with some penetrating oil,worked the steering right and left a couple of times and now it seems to be ok,turns more than it was before.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Interesting approach. I was able to improve mine somewhat with some other approaches but the dirt in the gear plate was almost rock hard and I couldn't get the last bit out without taking it apart. Haven't tried the oil trick, though...

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Great video. I do have some ideas for solutions to this issue. Do you think it might help to drill holes downward to allow the debris to fall out on its own? Also, would regular pressure washing or using compressed air in that area work as preventive maintenance?

[@FixEverythingYourself]

I think both ideas are reasonable. Other people have commented that they use compressed air and/or water to keep that area clean. Both are worth trying vs. disassembling regularly.

[@shanechapman1151]

Thanks so much for posing this! It worked perfectly!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear it!

[@waynesogge5802]

Thanks for sharing this video I've used air and a blow gun after I'm done for the day thanks again

[@FixEverythingYourself]

🙂👍

[@BertArsenault]

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT!! Perfect. 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks!

[@reneelosie2644]

Thank you very much for the help. I just started having that problem today May 16th 2022.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

I'm glad this helped 🙂

[@reneelosie2644]

@@FixEverythingYourself: I can't fix it I don't have any tools. At least I know what it is now.

[@davisdavis3406]

it is helpful thanks for taking the time to inform us

[@FixEverythingYourself]

YW 😊

[@ryaneiding]

Appreciate you posting this! Saved me a lot of time and headache. Thank you.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the feedback!

[@mdlclassguymdlclassguy6488]

I had the same problem, I simply used my pressure washer and removed the dirt, it took about 5 minutes and know wrenching 👍

[@dannygrounds7119]

Yep that was the fix i was looking for. Thank you!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

👍👍

[@Buckwsr]

Excellent!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks, sir!

[@sandshred25]

Thank you sir. This was the exact fix for my mower.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome!

[@MichaelJohnson-ux7pe]

I'm having the same issue with my troy bilt bronco, turns right ok but not left. I hope this does the trick.

[@davidg8431]

Thank you. Mine started doing the same. Subscribed.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks, @David G. Good luck fixing yours. Is yours also a Craftsman?

[@davidg8431]

@@FixEverythingYourself yes T130 looks identical to yours

[@dennisoneal8505]

Buy yourself a leaf blower and blow it clean after each use, Takes less than 2 minutes to do, Leaf blowers works better than water from a garden hose. If you want to wash it, only wash it after you blow it off good with a leaf blower.

[@genebalinski645]

EXACTLY what in needed. Thanks very much !

[@FixEverythingYourself]

You're welcome!

[@Drewdlemac]

I need to know how to do this fix on an 2005 husqvarna gt2254 mower, there's no channel for grass to build up and I feel like the steering wheel shaft is off center from the sector gear. . . Great video just wish it was my model

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Wish I could help....

[@tommyhuff981]

good job man! very throurgh, quick video. really appricate ya

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks, Tommy!

[@andyhamilton8940]

Inspect the gear teeth on the plate closely. They are beefier then the steering shaft teeth but wear down too.

[@Swoliosis1]

Same problem.... narrowed it down to this same area. Was about to take this assembly apart on my T2600, found your video to ensure I wasn't making a mistake I could not fix. Any idea on how to prevent this? Was a total pain in the arse to get to those two bolts on mine.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Some people have put their solutions in the Comments, so read thru those. I used some foil tape to build up a thick wall of tape to block the gap a bit from debris being able to get in there. Not a perfect solution but helps delay the time it takes for it to occur..

[@kenvrla9678]

Thank you. Exact fix I needed on my troy bilt

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great!

[@Phntomz]

Thank you! What a helpful video!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks!

[@stevenallen2530]

I have the t130 and it has the same issue, going out to fix, thanks, I thought I would have to re-index the gear because it still has teeth left over for a RH turn when the wheel will no longer turn. It appears the opposite situation on the LH turn, running out of gear teeth. Maybe I have a duel issue.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good luck. Hope you get it fixed!

[@derekk333]

I have one of the t1500 I replaced the deck belts and drive belts. I didn't take any pics. I can't remember where a spring goes. Do you have any info where I can see where the springs on the mower frame are mounted?

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Here's a video I just did on removing the deck. Maybe the spring you're looking for is in here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmHReHRtjd18mrM

[@samkitty5894]

I had a different problem. The bushing on the bottom of the steering shaft (bellow teeth) was worn out allowing teeth to skip. Cheap, crappy, soft material. I had a 40 year old Simplicity mower that never ever gave me trouble. New mowers are all junk in every way. I am always working on mine. It's one thing or another.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Dang...

[@samkitty5894]

@@FixEverythingYourself Steel shaft inside metal bushing with NO lubrication. What could go wrong? I have to replace this bushing every season.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

What brand and model is it?

[@mikyll3446]

Used this today on my Craftsman T110. What a difference to have the full turn range available again! Wish i had found this earlier. Well done!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great! Thanks!

[@danduenes5361]

Thank you, the exact fix I needed!!!!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great! Glad to hear it!

[@hunterinthebush]

Awesome. Thank you so much.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

YW!

[@gordbaker896]

Put some grease on the rack and pinion and drop the spindles and grease them too.

[@havoc2000]

Mine doesn't bind, it SLIPS. Mower is 2 years old. Bought new. Same steering assembly as yours. Seems teeth on gear dont mesh as closely as yours. Sprayed some lithium on there and helped for 45 mins. Any adjustments to move gear just a hair closer to gear on bottom of steering shaft? Nothings worn visually, all looks good, could just use a little less gap between shaft gear and bigger gear....

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Does your gear plate have the circular spacer in the center hole that the bolt goes through? Not having that would cause the problem you're describing. If that's not the issue, it would be challenging to modify it to work correctly. Has it been like that since new? You may just need a new gear plate if the teeth are worn?

[@havoc2000]

@@FixEverythingYourself actually yesterday I looked into it deeper. Whatever is at bottom of steering shaft, that goes through frame is toast. It wobbles. Only a Philip's head screw underneath. Gotta somehow find this part and hope screw comes out of bottom of steering shaft easily.. This is a new issue, mower produced in 2019! Hope I can find that worn pc! Update! Turns out its the spacer that sits in frame, that steering shaft rotates in. Wore out, new one coming. What a poor design!

[@bagenius5970]

Mine slips too, but only when it gets to the point of not wanting to turn. I took the plates off, wiped the dirt off, and I'm going to clean the plates and put some new grease between the plates and see if that fixes it. It could be the same issue you are having so I'll have to look into that when I'm working on it tomorrow.

[@Larry-w6f]

Very helpful.thanks

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Great. Thanks 👍

[@ivansson4392]

thank you it helped wonderfully

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Awesome!

[@jamesrobey4233]

Thanks so much for posting!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

You're welcome

[@NYMArts]

5:07 See the teeth on the disc at the end of that bar. They need to be 220' around, not just 170'. That's were the steering is lost.

[@fasnuf]

Nice details, Thanks

[@FixEverythingYourself]

🙂👍

[@meloysmusicstudio]

It worked! Thanks!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

😄😄👍👍

[@kevinadams1752]

Hopefully that my problem my steering rod broke off the ball joint so I used a bolt to fix it after going into the ditch at my house twice now that I got that done it doesn't want to turn all the way to the right

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good luck!

[@toms6756]

Great video - thank you!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks. I appreciate it!

[@jorgepuga8104]

0:44 I like it

[@billsessions5812]

I followed your instructions. However, for reasons unknown to me, now my riding lawn mower turns in the opposite direction than steering wheel is turned...

[@billsessions5812]

Found my problem was I connected the arm to the wheel axis backwards. Turned the square adapter over so it equaled to the video.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Good job. Saw you solved it before I got a chance to reply. That's exactly where I was going to point you.

[@titloveryummy1]

Wow this is the second video on steering rod and is it just me but all these lad's don't clean down their mower after each use, I use a leaf blower on mine. Prevention is better than cure.

[@johnkapel2128]

You forgot to mention what that shank was for on that bolt!

[@ForrestMartin-c8z]

Took my pressure washer and sprayed between plates solved problem.

[@titobandito6060]

Good video!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Thanks!

[@KINGTERIK]

Thank you sir🫡

[@FixEverythingYourself]

You're welcome!

[@jaysonrosario6127]

Thanks👍

[@FixEverythingYourself]

🙂👍

[@pikaonredbull1568]

Hi will this work for YT2400 craftsman.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

I don't know. It's probably very similar with some minor differences. Just a guess, though.

[@joebaucom4537]

Great !

[@FixEverythingYourself]

😄

[@TammySimmons-bg1rq]

Mine doesn't want to turn far enough to the right

[@FixEverythingYourself]

This solution is likely going to help.

[@williamdavis9871]

Thank you! is there anything I can do to stop this from happening every year??? Also shame on Craftsman for such a lousy design..

[@FixEverythingYourself]

There are a few suggestions in the Comments with what others have said works for them to prevent this. What I've done is used several layers of foil tape to protect the opening where the dirt gets in. It's not perfect but slows down the rate at which the dirt gets in there. Good luck!

[@terinarogers6701]

I have a Snapper Yard Machine Riding mower. Do you have a video and how to check my steering on it? My mower wont turn right, the steering wheel just spins with no grab or bite. It turns left fine, but not right? please send me the link if you have one with a Snapper 2018 yard machine riding mower. if not, I do have email if you can send me written instructions. I want to try to repair my mower myself since I have no trailer to take it anywhere and could use the help, any help will do. you do a great job on your video. Should I send you my email address or how do I talk to you...on this comment? Thank you...Have a BLESSED DAY!

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Sorry, I don't have any info on how to fix that Yard Machines problem. Sounds unique. Good luck.

[@terinarogers6701]

@@FixEverythingYourself okay thank you

[@NYMArts]

I have the opposite problem. I go to steer EITHER right or left and the steering gear is total not engaged. I can spin the steering wheel either way and it's not engaged. If you're unaware of this you can be killed. Not Kidding. Too cheap to put teeth 360' around.

[@AMilo-qm4ed]

anybody in NE Ohio that can fix a riding mower for me with steering that is totally stripped on making turns.?..the tires are splayed out and it's just making huge wide turns that I have to keep backing on and trying to then recorrect to then go straight.....it's totally gone on an Airiens mower (husquvarna engine).....

[@ExoTraveler]

Man the steering setup on these things are garbage. Bought one used and ending up replacing everything it seems. I need to replace that gear assembly anyways, but I bet it is full of junk.

[@FixEverythingYourself]

Yeah, I'm not thrilled with it but it still works so I'll keep it.

[@madisongeiger7249]

wish this was my problem, I have a Toro with a very similar steering mech, Total piece of junk! I have had to rebuild it 4 times in 10 years to keep it functioning. I tighten all the bolts every spring but it still strips out by the end of the year. DO NOT BUY A MOEWER WITH THIS STEERING SET UP!!

[@brucevanguard8398]

I have one like yours and the screw holding the bottom of the shaft broke. How would I go about repairing it?

[@rogerlevesque1151]

un peut de graisse ne nuirais pas

[@NYMArts]

Carftsman T110 mower is JUNK. DON'T BUY IT. Vibrating bucket O'Bolts. Garbage. Never should've left the drawing board.