I purchased this unit a couple of years ago and it has worked pretty well. I am lucky that my wife does all of the mowing. Recently, when she was bringing the mower back to the house, I noticed the front wheels had a significant toe-out. There didn't seem to be any adjustments and I have jury-rigged one of the tie rods to bring it close to alignment. It appears that the front axles is bent back towards the mower deck. This throws out the alignment and puts the wheels very close to the mower deck. What I really noticed was not the alignment but that the front tires were almost worn out and for a mower this new, that didn't make sense. When I look at things, I don't see anything bent, but it must be.
What is the recommendation about how to straighten out the front axle assembly? There isn't much to connect to to bend... and I would like to try to prevent it from reoccurring.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The only other issue I have had is that on occasion, when it starts up, it smokes quite a bit.... after it warms up, it clears up... but it doesn't do it all of the time. When I purchased it, they pointed out the Vanguard engine and said it was much better than their standard engine, but I'm not convinced....
Thanks in advance for any help!
Bill in Vancouver, Wa.
What is the recommendation about how to straighten out the front axle assembly? There isn't much to connect to to bend... and I would like to try to prevent it from reoccurring.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
The only other issue I have had is that on occasion, when it starts up, it smokes quite a bit.... after it warms up, it clears up... but it doesn't do it all of the time. When I purchased it, they pointed out the Vanguard engine and said it was much better than their standard engine, but I'm not convinced....
Thanks in advance for any help!
Bill in Vancouver, Wa.