I have a Sears model 917.270940 riding mower. It was clicking when I turned to the right and eventually it quit turning to the right altogether. I started disassembling the shaft assembly. I noticed that when you turn to the left everything works well. When you turn to the right the shaft (p/n 156546) pulls away from the sector gear (p/n 136874). I also found that the shaft itself seems to be loose from the shaft support (p/n 160395). I know the shaft is supposed to rotate while sitting in the sector gear. What keeps it from pulling away from the sector gear?
Check for worn bushings and or bearings on both the steering shaft and sector gear. This will allow too much play and the gears will not where properly. Also check the shaft support, 160395 and steering bracket, 154406.
Everything is tight except where the steering shaft goes into the support piece for the shaft (160395). Is that a bushing inside the shaft support? If so, does that come with the part?
When you turn the wheel, you should be able to see what is loose causing the shaft to move away from the gear. Yes the cause could be the shaft support and it probably only has a drill surface without bushing, which do wear away. Another possibility is that the end of the shaft is worn.
