steering gear.

[liljohn]

Cant turn right all the way it skips gear teeth not sure what to do

 

[reynoldston]

Cant turn right all the way it skips gear teeth not sure what to do

Thinking back a few years the Craftsman mowers made by Murry they had a very poor steering system. Two open gears, small one on the end of the steering shaft that turned a large open gear. It was a poor system and as I remember not too much you could do with them which I never tried anyways. That was the problem when you had really had hard steering the gears would slip pass one another. Just make sure everything is tight is all you can do.

 

[jhngardner367]

Liljohn,
Can you post the model#,and serial # of the tractor?
A picture of the steering gear would help,also.
Some of them are adjustable,and some aren't.

 

[liljohn]

Liljohn,
Can you post the model#,and serial # of the tractor?
A picture of the steering gear would help,also.
Some of them are adjustable,and some aren't.

Model # 917.254622 serial#1119s18617 craftsman 5 spd 12 hp cant remember if its the 36 inch or 38 inch.

 

[jhngardner367]

I looked it up,on the Sears site,and the steering is NOT adjustable. It has a plastic sector gear(black,wedge-shaped)that is notorious for wearing out.
Unfortunately,that part is no longer available.
Some times it can be shimmed to take up slack,but it's only a temporary fix.

 

[metz12]

same thing is happening to mine. but i cant turn left. last season i put new bushings in it and now it is doing the same thing wih skipping gears. i was thinking about getting some kind of hose clamp to clamp the gears together but i dont know how it can slide on the shafts on the gears.

 

[liljohn]

Ya i dont have a clue how i can fix it only thing i could see is the washers or spacers on the gear shaft i think if i replace those or add some it might work.

 

[liljohn]

I looked it up,on the Sears site,and the steering is NOT adjustable. It has a plastic sector gear(black,wedge-shaped)that is notorious for wearing out.
Unfortunately,that part is no longer available.
Some times it can be shimmed to take up slack,but it's only a temporary fix.

Where is that plastic sector gear

 

[Fish]

It is metal.

 

[motoman]

Not the turn left or right problem, but my 2009 Craftsman steering has loosened up like an overworked U Haul. It may be the open gear wear. The "rod ends" seem to be ok. Has anyone determined if the gear teeth are hardened or just mild steel ? If it is the teeth I am tempted to try bronze facing and cut back to improve. Anyone know if the gears are replaceable?