Steering pops on newer MTD Craftsman Troy Bilt Bolens riding mowers- replace steering shaft bushing

[@Don_ECHOguy]

Nice repair and the steering on these tractor's was a real weak point... could have done with some better engineering. I just replaced that same hex bushing along with two sector gear bushings on my 2012 LTX Cub Cadet... every thing was serviced from under neath. I greased the hell out of every thing too and I also found and installed a top steel bushing where the steering shaft goes through the dashboard. Big improvement and steers almost like new again although the outer axle bushings should be changed. 👍

[@montgomeryward9952]

Hey man a tip on that number #3 bit/bolt that you removed I recommend cutting 6 sides on it to fit a socket on it. you be grateful that you did later down the road because after a while they will get boogered up.the bolt would loose it's Phillips shape and be a pain to remove and some bare just a pain in general to remove because of the locktite on the thread from factory.the older MTD riders had the bolt style.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Good idea! I don't know why they went away from the bolt style.

[@alandaters8547]

First check if it is a standard size. If so, I would replace it with a regular hex head bolt or even a stainless-steel bolt, if available.

[@Turningwrenches85]

Good repair video on this craftsman. Since I have a troybilt setup like this craftsman I'll keep a eye on it even though I keep my tires aired up .

[@philliphall5198]

I just don’t do tire work anymore just my own if I feel like it 😅 Needs a new shaft and set of front tires 😊

[@philliphall5198]

Grease and 90w oil works wonders for preventing this problem

[@TomSmith-sr2br]

Cheap China metal...it's to soft and won't last.

[@butler386]

Well that was a difficult repair to make but you made it look easy. You are correct this is a very poor design but done intentionally I am sure. Pretty much impossible to get a quality made lawn tractor these days. Thanks for the videos.

[@rickbroerman9267]

Casey you made that look easy!!! Awesome job!!!!

[@TomSmith-sr2br]

Just what i was looking for, thanks for sharing....BTW.. it only takes 5 minutes to change the tire, pull the cotter pin, slide the wheel off and slide the new one on. Can't find the part from your link, what is the part number please ?

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Thanks for watching! This should be what you need: amzn.to/3Jk8W02

[@warrenvalentino5763]

Great video! Awesome job! thank you for the information in this video! :)

[@garyalensr]

Nice fix Casey. Man I have a 1990 Dynamark and my Tractor still has all its original parts. I do maintain it very well tho. But I've never had to change steering or tranny, nothing. It blows my mind how crappy thing are made anymore.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

I had a Cub Cadet from that year range. Pretty good residential mower aside from the deck.

[@garyalensr]

@@EllisMowersandmore They were made so good back in the day. I can't believe how cheap they go to just save a few dollars, then sale the unit for a ridiculous price!!

[@philliphall5198]

How about putting a bolt back in place of screw

[@TomSmith-sr2br]

That's what i would do.

[@alandaters8547]

Ideally stainless steel.

[@philliphall5198]

Also grease front end after every use or it very hard on steering bushings

[@montgomeryward9952]

Great video 👌

[@TheFurryWayFarmer1999]

I've got the same problem but mine is a lt2000 I've got to replace that part as well but I'm have difficulty trying to make it seat right it keeps popping off when I steer it I mean I do love kinda these tractors but they are a pain to fix. I almost forgot to ask what brand of tire sealant do you recommend?

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Yes it's pretty critical that tires are aired up and pivot points are lubed on the steering on these otherwise those washers wear out quickly. I use Automatic transmission fluid for sealing tires. Works better than slime and is cheaper too.

[@keithkilps8250]

good info thanks

[@nitrogt1]

I have a Craftsman T1700 with this same sterring setup. Over the past year and a half I have wore out 5 steering shafts. The gear wears out in as little as three hours running the mower. At first, I replace the steering shaft twice thinking they were just poorly built replacements. Then I replaced the shaft the bearing the washer and the steering gear. None of that helped. The gear mesh between the shaft and the steering gear is too loose. There is a lot of slop that I don't know how to get rid of. Any ideas?

[@EllisMowersandmore]

I'm not sure what is causing your repeated issues. I would make sure that your steering is not hard to turn, your wheel does not have a lot of play and that your front tires are inflated to 14psi. My guess is the hole where the bushing goes in could have wallowed out. There's not much to those steering systems so the excess wear should be pretty easy to spot. I'd have to lay eyes on it in order to better figure out what's going on with it.

[@drfalcon4102]

such a common problem on these, MTD really needs to make some changes,

[@brianking1138]

I had 3 newer MTD riding lawn mowers in my shop this week and I am not impressed. Problems with 40-100 hours on the machines. I don't think the long term outlook is going to be good!

[@100vg]

I do know that most MTD-design Tractor Mowers of this size do have a horribly designed-to-fail steering system. The steering column's plastic "bearing" crap and cheap, soft metal crap are so bad that they have to be replaced every few years, especially that "metal" bearing. And the V-shaped steering gear that the column gear connects to is is just as bad because of the way its mounted. Very sloppily designed and implemented! That steering shaft's drive gear is designed to fail so the steering shaft has to be replaced, too, by the way it's held in place by the cheap, soft metal bushing that holds it in contact with the V-shaped steering gear. It should all be made of Stainless Steel 316L! Almost the entire steering system on my 2011 Troy-Bilt Horse 46'' XP Hydrostatic Riding Mower had to be completely replaced and the steering column I received when I bought $300+ in parts from Troy-Blit for the steering and other issues had the spline where the steering wheel attaches so badly damaged that I called for a replacement, which I was given without a shipping charge and they didn't even want to bad one back, and I asked that it be checked for perfection before it was packaged to be shipped. The bad one wasn't damaged in shipping, but was sent out that way. The replacement was perfect, but I shouldn't have had to be put through that in the first place, and a lot of it could have been prevented if it was designed and installed better, with more reliable and durable parts to start with. I told them them that these things were designed to fail, and was asked, Why would we do that? We make good parts and mowers and warranty them. To which I said, For Profit because your warranty isn't that long. He denied it, but look at what you're having to do on two MTD products at the same time and what I'll have to do. Listen to the list of products you just said all have the same issues. It's called Designed/Engineered Failure for parts sales and new replacement product sales. I'm going to replace that #3 Philips with a hex head bolt. That steering shaft and V-shaped steering gear should both be made of Stainless Steel 316L and coated with something to rust-protect them, maybe Zinc. If not SS 316L, them certainly a much harder, more durable metal with rust protection. That thin, black metallic particle finish on the steering column is not durable enough. It scratches off very easily. Automatic Transmission fluid can seal tire holes? Is it better than that green goop that's made for that? Can't remember the name, but I'm sure you know what I mean. I bought 4 new tires for the Troy-Bilt, but that could help until I get that far. How much do you put in and what's the procedure, please? The tires on the Craftsman Rider my friend gave me all still hold air. I've checked each use before cutting and they're holding. They were low when I got it, but they're still holding so far. I really like the Hydrostatic better! They're both have a 46" Deck.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

I've had two of these to fix so far. ATF works great on tires that are dry rotted and losing air. They will seal tires that will go flat in as little as a day. I take a funnel and a plastic line that fits snug on the valve stem from a slime bottle, take out the valve stem, push the air out of the tire and slowly release air as I pour the ATF in a funnel so it sucks it in the tire. Then you air it up and drive around to coat the inside. 8oz usually will do most tires, maybe 10-12 for big back tires

[@100vg]

@@EllisMowersandmore Thanks for the ATF tire fix procedure! I have a front tire with a tube that I patched and then ran over some thorny branches I cut off that were growing on a cut down tree. They were too thorny to handle and move. I think they punctured the tube. If this fix will keep the tires going until I replace them with the set of 4 I bought, that would be fantastic and I'll have the procedure for future needs. You're the man and I'm so glad I found you and subscribed. Sorry about my misunderstanding of the reverse gear fix.

[@robertmailhos8159]

I've seen the craftsman made by m.t.d at Lowes home improvement store.s I sorry but I have use for that mower I love the ayp made craftsman mowers

[@TomSmith-sr2br]

OK everyone, here is an update to this steering problem, i just followed this video and got the part but the big problem here is the replacement parts they are selling are TO THIN. !!! This will make the problem worse, i lost ALL my steering because of the thin parts from CHINA JUNK......here is the part i used OREGON # 45-071 < causes a gap in the steering shaft at the top and bottom where the washer is.. Yes i used 2 washers hoping this would help and it does not. the hex bearing will come right out of the slot and you will lose all steering. I think it's the thin part of the washer is the main problem < make the shaft sit lower then it should be. Hope this helps everyone, Please comment to help this disabled man find the right part and any ideas how this can be fixed, thanks everyone.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

I've replaced a few of these with no issues before using the aftermarket items. Make sure the steering gear is not worn, the hex mount is not stripped and the axle spindles move freely.

[@TomSmith-sr2br]

@@EllisMowersandmore The part # 45-071 is for a different steering systems and not made for craftsman(MTD) they are way to thin. I should know, i just went trough this nonsense and have to take it all apart again and put the right hex flange bearing in, if your a lawn mower repair guy, you should know the correct part to use already. Have a good day.