lotus1967 0 #1 Posted August 14, 2009 I've got a 1986/87 418-8 and just this year I have sensed a tiny bit of steering wheel play. We have spent 450 happy houre together, and I want much more. How much play is normal for this kind of hours? Is there any adjustment to get rid of this? I typically grease 3 times a season (Ohio), and keep proper tire inflation. Usage has been mowing only on a reasonably flat and smooth lawn. Any help appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesRJ 552 #2 Posted August 14, 2009 I've got a 1986/87 418-8 and just this year I have sensed a tiny bit of steering wheel play. We have spent 450 happy houre together, and I want much more. How much play is normal for this kind of hours? Is there any adjustment to get rid of this? I typically grease 3 times a season (Ohio), and keep proper tire inflation. Usage has been mowing only on a reasonably flat and smooth lawn. Any help appreciated. "Normal" play is a relative term. I see zero play as normal, even from an older machine. Steering Wheel "play", or "lash" is manifested by loose fitting gears, bad roll pins, worn pivot pins, bad tie rods, etc. I don't know the actual design of your machine off the top of my head but suggest the following. At each check-point your looking for movement between the adjacent parts. Where you find movement of one part and not the other, is the area of repair you need to address. Start at the steering wheel and work down to the wheels. 1. Hold the steering shaft with a pair of vice grips (protect shaft with something relatively soft so as not to mar the shaft) and move the Steering Wheel. Movement? 2. Follow shaft down to its next mechanical junction and test. Movement? 3. Continue down the steering components checking each junction. 4. Repair any "loose" junction as necessary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #3 Posted August 15, 2009 Mike gives great advice here! My bet, based on my 312-8's which use the same steering system, is the ball joints at the end of the tie rods have started to wear. Not a difficult "fix." Duff :thumbs2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 10,980 #4 Posted August 15, 2009 Though I agree that any slop in the steering is undesirable- Almost ALL of my tractors have some. A WH with perfect steering is like an old Jeep CJ with perfect steering: Some may exist, but they are few and far between. Check the steering rods, keep greasing everything, and keep enjoying that machine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,192 #5 Posted August 15, 2009 First check would be tie rod ends. If there is movement you could replace them. Also look for end play in the shaft (sector gear to tie rods) if there is get some 3/4" shims (.020 0r .010 from a good hardware store or McMasters). Remove cotter pin at rear of shaft and add the shims under the washer there until you eliminate the end play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lotus1967 0 #6 Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks for the help.Soon as it cools down a bit I'll get to the garage and run the checks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
