Steering Spindle Modification for easier Steering, Any Lawn Tractor (Shown on Cub Cadet 1500 Series)

Learn how to Remove your Steering Spindles and add a Thrust Bearing for ease of steering on your Lawn Tractor.
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Disclaimer: The information, demonstration and any content contained in this video is for informational purposes only. Due to factors beyond the control of the author, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. The author assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. The author recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in video. Due to factors beyond the control of the author, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not the author. The links on this video to products are for informational purposes only and in no way are an endorsement of the safety or effectiveness of the particular product. Therefore, viewer agrees to release, waive, and discharge the author or anyone affiliated with the author or video, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the viewer, or to any property belonging to viewer, regardless of whether the loss is linked to the use of the contents of this video, or otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

[@shobud7561]

Id leave both hardened washers with the needle bearing and snug the big nut up and drill a hole for a cotter pin .

[@douglaskritz6493]

Very well done

[@StilesAutomotive]

Douglas, I appreciate the feedback! - Stiles

[@gordbaker896]

Simply grind some material off the top of the Spindle bore for clearance. Air up that tire. It is pretty well ruined already. Always block your axles in storage so if you do have a leak, it won't ruin the tire. WARNING. Check your spindle first. I got the Needle Bearings from Amazon for $8.42 the pair for my JD X320. I found that there was a 1/2" thick Plastic Bushing at the bottom of the Spindle that the axle rested on. No one else had mentioned this. It was somewhat hollow and was holding grease. I put the Washer/Bearing/Washer on top of it. A messy job that made absolutely NO DIFFERENCE to Steering Effort. I believe the Factory plastic bushings on MY Tractor were doing an excellent Job.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Gord, Yep, good comments. I had to get the Front Tires off of the ground otherwise I'd break a bead. I've since replaced the Tires and added Tubes. I appreciate the comments. - Stiles

[@dougseaman8791]

The washers are made of a hardened steel for the thrust bearing to ride on. I wouldn't remove them. Instead, clean the threads on the spindle and nut with brake clean and put thread locker on them. Tighten the nut down until there is no vertical play in the spindle and then back the nut off 1/8 turn. Removing the washers will introduce wear in the spindle and axle.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Doug, Yep, I'm with you, Bearings should ride on Bearing Races. This a Chinese made Bearings and Washers, the Washer are probably very low grade of stainless steel. Which is harder than the mild steel the the Spindle Plate is made from, or the Cast Iron that the Axle I-Beam is made from. And I did consider that. However, on advantage I thought was that Grease will more likely flow into the Bearing from the Grease Fitting without the Washer. This will help keep it clean and lubed. Your point of "Removing the washer will introduce wear in the spindle and axle" - yes, it will put it back there. One big advantage of installing the Thrust Bearings with Washers is that your wear parts and now cheap and replaceable. Of course, Loctite isn't intended for that purpose, but may work. I'd clean the Nut and Spindle Threads with Lacquer Thinner, which is better than Part Cleaner, but this is a great point, too. Another idea to get more clearance is to use a washer that just fits over the Spindle Threads, or a Flanged Nut that doesn't have that little counter bore in it. I appreciate the comment! - Stiles

[@allenmarshall9061]

If you buy a newer Cub Cadet. The I.D. Of the thrust bearing is 20mm O.D. Is 35mm. Do not over tighten the fastener securing the spindle in the axle. It will compress the thrust bearing. When greasing the spindle, jack up the axle taking the weight off the thrust bearings allowing the grease to flow down through the spindle and out at the new thrust bearing. Retired International Harvester Tech. writer, 1966 to when we closed.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Allen, All very good information, I love the kind to comment, that helps others! When my Dad farmed, he was an International Tractor guy. My sister married into a John Deere Family and true story, I know you are the one person in the world that will laugh. When my nephew when to kindergarten, they thought he was color blind . . . he only recognized John Deere Green. Again, believe it or not, that is true. I appreciate your comment and information! - Stiles

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Very cool 😎

[@StilesAutomotive]

Again, I appreciate the feedback! - Stiles

[@billconserva1461]

Honstly, I appreciate your effort. Maybe I'm stronger in the arm, but I never found steering my exact same model an issue the way it came from the factory.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Bill, I know! my 6 year old daughter can sit on my lap and steer the Tractor. However, the Spindle Bearing Mod is a fad on the Internet and a friend asked me to do it. Thanks for the comment! - Stiles

[@buggsy5]

@@StilesAutomotive Just keep in mind that the mod may not be suitable for all mower models and this one appears it may be one of them.

[@philliphall5198]

They do help turn it and it’s a good time to install wheel bearing

[@StilesAutomotive]

Phillip, Good tip, often the case, when you are doing one task, you might as well do another at the same time. I appreciate the comment! - Stiles

[@philliphall5198]

@@StilesAutomotiveuse red lock tight to insure nut stays put 😊

[@shobud7561]

There are smart asses all over the world and i just read the comments from some of them .

[@philliphall5198]

If the nut doesn’t lock in Teflon just use red lock tight then 😊😊

[@StilesAutomotive]

Phillip, True, Loctite may work, but that isn't a "best practice" for keeping Nuts on. - Stiles

[@creativecontrol9047]

Thanks for sharing! Will definitely be giving this a try. Do you know a way to increase the speed on this tractor? I have the same model and it is painfully slow. Any tips or ideas would be appreciated!

[@StilesAutomotive]

Control, Your Tractor has 2 Belts; a Deck Belt and a Drive Belt. It is possible that your Drive Belt is slipping and not making noise. Unless the Belt is very new, I'd change it when changing the Transaxle Fluid. I have not changed my Fluid, but have heard new Fluid makes a big difference in the Tractor performance. In my Stiles Automotive Video (see link below) I help you determine the make and model of Tractor, and help you find both the Tractor and Engine Service Manuals. Some Cub Cadet Tractor Transaxles do NOT have Drain Plugs or Fill Plugs, some do. Unlikely, but worth an easy look: check out the Pedal Linkage to the Transaxle, does it move the Lever on the Transaxle all of the way? Let me know how it goes! - Stiles Data Plate and Sticker Location, Determine Manufacture Year, Model & Serial Numbers, Cub Cadet Tractor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4vOqqamf5Kcq6c

[@philliphall5198]

I bought a hundred last fall and only have a dozen left if that many, 50 on order now 😊

[@StilesAutomotive]

Phillip, You bought a 100 Bearings? Are you doing this modification for other people or many Tractors? I hope you are not wearing them out and needing to replace them on one Tractor. - Stiles

[@derekfink6525]

This should be great for a snowblower attachment because its a lot harder with one on

[@StilesAutomotive]

Derek, Ok, very good, I hope it helps for you. You could run a little extra air pressure in the front Tires, too. I'm sure you thought of that. Thanks for the comment! - Stiles

[@derekfink6525]

@@StilesAutomotive yes I even went to a harder Carlisle tires

[@philliphall5198]

It’s surprising how much they help What i been doing is asking if I can install them and if there happy then pay me if not no big deal 😊

[@vincechristian239]

Put some transmission fluid in tire will seal leak

[@StilesAutomotive]

Vince, That's true Transmission Fluid will soften rubber, but it also degrades the rubber. I'm not sure what the Old School Belt Dressing is made from, but I bet it is similar, it softens the rubber of the Belt. After 18 years, new tires are the way to go for my Tractor. - Stiles

[@ronjohnstonaustralia2417]

Just grind off the top of the axle housing to create clearance for the nut tightened down to xxx Uggaduggas by the gorilla in the video....LOL!

[@StilesAutomotive]

Ron, Yep, true. You could take a little off of the top. Even with an Angle Grinder, because the top doesn't need to maintain a square tolerance. The Bottom on the other hand should be flat and square. I appreciate the comment! - Stiles

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve been using red 271 lock tight and no grinding period

[@60Oldfart]

I did that and even replaced the front wheel bushing with roller bearing and no change steered the same..

[@StilesAutomotive]

60, Like I said in the video, My steering wasn't that hard to begin with. Make sure you don't over tighten and put more load on the Bearing. - Stiles

[@mikeboggess255]

I noticed on some other vids. that there is a difference in the surface of the washers included in your PMPS kit which you did not point out.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Mike, I didn't notice a difference, mine are packaged in a clear plastic zip-lock style little bag. Upon further inspection, I don't see any difference in the Washers. They appear to be thin, stainless steel flat washers, which are made to match the Bearings. "PMPS kit" what is a "PMPS"? I didn't use a true "kit" designed for this application. I just ordered the correct size Bearings from Amazon, I determined the size based on my Cub Cadet Spindles. - Stiles

[@mikeboggess255]

According to others the flat washers are ever so slightly tapered on one side,flat on the other side.

[@jaycoob7534]

My 2017 xt1 cub cadet spindle is welded on there is no way to remove it. very upsetting

[@StilesAutomotive]

Jay, you should look at Cub Cadet Parts for the replacement Part. I bet there is a procedure to grind it off and replace it. These need to be replaceable. - Stiles

[@philliphall5198]

I think the aftermarket ones are not welded

[@garygary9288]

Didn't help my lawn tractor one bit.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Gary, I know, My Cub Cadet wasn't hard to steer before the Mod. I did this video because its all over the internet and the guys requested that I do it. I got one comment, that if you use an accessory (like a blade) on the front of the Tractor, then it helps. One last thought, make sure you have enough clearance and you aren't binding the bearing. I appreciate the comment. - Stiles

[@JeffreyStrader]

Unfortunately that method will -->'NOT

[@StilesAutomotive]

Jeffrey, Geez, This is bad news, everything should be design with wear-out and both simple / cheap replacement in the design. - Stiles

[@mopesrus7266]

You talk a lot.

[@StilesAutomotive]

Mopesrus, I figure if you are watching a Video on how to do something, you want to know how, why and what stuff you need to do it. - Stiles

[@mopesrus7266]

@@StilesAutomotive You figured wrong.