LT1000 steering rod fell off

crazy charlie

Active Member
Hey guys!!! Dont mind my incorrect terminology......Went to turn steering wheel and there was no tension at all.Looked under the left side and saw that the steering arm had fallen off of the steering ball joint.Looks like it had been pressed in with a rubber seal but this is my first look at one of these. Do I just pop it back on or is there more to it??? Let me know what I am facing here please.Thanks in advance ,Charlie
 
More to it the ball and socket it sits in are both worn which is the reason it came apart. The ball joint will need replaced for a permanent solution. Sometimes you can ball and ball back in and peen around the edge and get them to stay together for a short period won't last long.
 
Ball joint!!! Thats it!! I will have to take a closer look.Seemed to be a rubber fitting in the socket.Will try to get a pic which won't be easy,I put the tractor way in the back of my garage for the season. Hope its an easy fix.Guess I can always zip tie it for a temp fix.Charlie
 
Hey guys!!! Dont mind my incorrect terminology......Went to turn steering wheel and there was no tension at all.Looked under the left side and saw that the steering arm had fallen off of the steering ball joint.Looks like it had been pressed in with a rubber seal but this is my first look at one of these. Do I just pop it back on or is there more to it??? Let me know what I am facing here please.Thanks in advance ,Charlie
Check here:

 
Hey guys!!! Dont mind my incorrect terminology......Went to turn steering wheel and there was no tension at all.Looked under the left side and saw that the steering arm had fallen off of the steering ball joint.Looks like it had been pressed in with a rubber seal but this is my first look at one of these. Do I just pop it back on or is there more to it??? Let me know what I am facing here please.Thanks in advance ,Charlie
Tie rod end....https://www.amazon.com/s?k=screw+on+tie+rod+end+for+riding+mower&crid=6HF57Q5WC95B&sprefix=screw+on+tie+rod+end+for+riding+mower%2Caps%2C260
 
I've seen 2 temp fixes. One, as ILENGINE says, to pop it back in and peen around the edges. I've also seen where people have drilled a hole in the tie rod and insert a bolt thru it and the steering plate or axel. Leave the bolt a little loose and Loctite it. The tie rods are not that expensive and a much better fix.
 
On my 25 yr old LT1000, mine too fell apart on my rough terrain, so I replaced the steering link connector with a greaseable adjustable ball joint, which are available at McMaster Carr, and probably on Amazon if you know what you're looking for. Many times, the McMaster Carr website will help you find what is available and give you ideas. If I remember, I had to thread it for the new ball joint to thread in to, but I may have just had to find the same thread, but that was many years ago. It's worked great for many years over lots of bumpy ground. And yes, it's due for another greasing. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/b...2~/ball-joint-linkages-with-grease-fitting-8/
 

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On my 25 yr old LT1000, mine too fell apart on my rough terrain, so I replaced the steering link connector with a greaseable adjustable ball joint, which are available at McMaster Carr, and probably on Amazon if you know what you're looking for. Many times, the McMaster Carr website will help you find what is available and give you ideas. If I remember, I had to thread it for the new ball joint to thread in to, but I may have just had to find the same thread, but that was many years ago. It's worked great for many years over lots of bumpy ground. And yes, it's due for another greasing. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/b...2~/ball-joint-linkages-with-grease-fitting-8/
Called an adjustable, greaseable heim joint.
 
Not all draglinks have replaceable ball joint ends. Unless you cutoff the old one and thread the rod. Now depending on the model there may be a version that has a re-enforced ball joint end or one with replaceable ends. But since the LT1000 was made by both Husqvarna and MTD the model number from serial number tag to end check for this.
 
Not all draglinks have replaceable ball joint ends. Unless you cutoff the old one and thread the rod. Now depending on the model there may be a version that has a re-enforced ball joint end or one with replaceable ends. But since the LT1000 was made by both Husqvarna and MTD the model number from serial number tag to end check for this.
I will have to look for the serial number# tag. I dont know about Husqvarna and MTD though. Mine has a Kohler motor on it.
 
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