JD LA 135 steering issue

[gatorblade]

Where the gear on the steering shaft meets the steering plate is very sloppy. The two pivot steering rods from the plate to each wheel seem flimsy. My 93yr.old Father -in -law has a tough time steering on this 9yr. old mower. I realize this is a residential mower and you get what you pay for. $ 1800 is not a throw away mower. It looks and runs great, rides very rough. Course he weighs 115lb. so he bounces easily. I'm thinking how much of an upgrade is there for a mower with power steering, if there is not an easy fix for the steering. Anyone familiar with this situation? Thanks, rockman

 

[bertsmobile1]

Two weeks wages IS a throw away mower price.
The steering gear fan gear drag links and steering knuckle bushes are all service replacement items.
There is also a bush at the bottom of the steering shaft which the instruction manual that no one ever bothers to read tells you to lube .
Some of the older garden tractors had power steering but they are rightfully 3 to 6 months wages.
AFAIK power steering got dropped because no one would pay the extra for it.
I have worked on Troybilts with horizontal engines that have power steering and also some Bolens with power steering.

 

[gatorblade]

Your right, just started greasing the steering last yr. We replaced the front wheel axles 2yrs. ago. Both axles had an 1/8" deep flat spot on top and he had greased the wheels every other mowing. Thought the wheel bushings would wear first. I will check closer and see what has worn. I believe right away I will go to a truck stop and find what we called in the 1950's a girlie knob, or suicide knob, that clamps to the steering wheel. He has one good shoulder so this may help till we get the steering fixed. Thanks much, rockman