How to adjust the front wheels

[slk 8]

I have just acquired this wheel horse C120 8 speed. I noticed that the front wheels do not sit straight ahead. You can get one straight then the other one is at least 4” turned out. I do not see any adjustment that can be made to correct that unless I am missing something. 

[squonk 47,927]

Some tractors have adjustable tie rods and some do not. If your doesn't the weld at the spindle where the plate that the  tie rod attaches to may have given way. Causing the plate and spindle to move independently. I have seen this a few times

 

Edited 22 hours ago by squonk

[ri702bill 12,867]

A couple of pictures would help. A bent spindle will severely change the toe-in of the front axle. Also, excessive wear in the front axle bosses & similar wear on the spindles will drastically change the toe-in. Jack the tractor up under the front of the frame to allow the axle to hang free with both wheels off the ground. Try to shake each wheel to check for play. Up and down play in the spindles, not the wheels, is to be expected.

Bad wheel bearing(s) have the same bad effect on the toe-in. It may be a combination of little things that add up..... A worn out center pivot will throw the steering off, but not so much the toe-in as the others mentioned.

[slk 8]

If ya get one wheel pointed straight the other one will point outward. It is crazy. The sight will not let me post another pic of the other wheel. Says i can only post 15.57 meg. But if ya put the left wheel straight the right will be pointed outward just as much. 

Edited 22 hours ago by slk
added info

[Brockport Bill 2,462]

[Brockport Bill 2,462]

what about adjustable tie rod - or am i mis-understanding the problem?

[ri702bill 12,867]

A bent or loose steering arm needs to be fixed / replaced before throwing good money at it buying adjustable tierods with replacable joints.

 

Note the relative placement of the rh and lh outer tierod joints - they look about the same - yet the lhe slindle IS damaged.

Note the damage to the upper hood - looks like a vehicle backed into it - a coincidence that the spindle took a beating too????

Methinks a LOT more is bent / busted / broken here than meets the eye.

 

[slk 8]

I have not taken anything apart yet. When I do I may see the problem but was hoping there was some sort of adjustment. 

[lynnmor 9,019]

1 hour ago, slk said:

If ya get one wheel pointed straight the other one will point outward. It is crazy. The sight will not let me post another pic of the other wheel. Says i can only post 15.57 meg. But if ya put the left wheel straight the right will be pointed outward just as much. 

 

If you become a supporter the restriction on posting goes away.  Join here.

 

That wrecked front end is way more than an adjustment, it should be obvious as you inspect the parts.

[wallfish 20,532]

Something is broken or someone put on the wrong tie rod(s)

[Ed Kennell 47,047]

I'm guessing here but did the previous owner buy new tie rods that were too short.

 

to the 

Edited 20 hours ago by Ed Kennell

[sqrlgtr 3,750]

34 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

If you become a supporter the restriction on posting goes away.  Join here.

 

This if you plan on staying around and enjoy these ol tractors it is well worth the price of admission to become a supporter. You would be hard pressed to find a better bunch of 's then what's on here and all the W/H knowledge you want find anywhere else.

[oldlineman 1,802]

I'll second that    

[Bar Nuthin 3,094]

Move the steering wheel until these two parts are vertical, then take a look at the front end. It may provide clues as to where the problem is.

 

[ineedanother 2,826]

3 hours ago, ri702bill said:

A bent or loose steering arm needs to be fixed / replaced before throwing good money at it buying adjustable tierods with replacable joints.

 

Note the relative placement of the rh and lh outer tierod joints - they look about the same - yet the lhe slindle IS damaged.

Note the damage to the upper hood - looks like a vehicle backed into it - a coincidence that the spindle took a beating too????

Methinks a LOT more is bent / busted / broken here than meets the eye.

 

I agree with @ri702bill about it being backed into or something similar. I think the mule drive has been injured as well...

[slk 8]

There is not any dents in the hood at all in the front. What you see are the lights that are bowed from someone not knowing how to put them back in. 

[JoeM 10,179]

11 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

I'm guessing here but did the previous owner buy new tie rods that were too short.

there are two different length rods

 

these are the longer ones for your machine

[lynnmor 9,019]

9 hours ago, slk said:

There is not any dents in the hood at all in the front. What you see are the lights that are bowed from someone not knowing how to put them back in. 

 

Just some minor causalities.

 

[slk 8]

What does that knob do at the bottom. It looks like someone used channel locks on it and broke it all up. 

Unfortunately the previous owner was my neighbor that passed away so I have no idea what has been done on this tractor. His wife gave it to me and I thought that was very nice of her but I am still trying to find out about it. I did down load the manual for it so I have that now. 

I am thinking this is going to be a fun project. 

[Ed Kennell 47,047]

16 minutes ago, slk said:

What does that knob do

That is used to tighten the deck drive belt.              

 

16 minutes ago, slk said:

am thinking this is going to be a fun project. 

These little red tractors and the people we meet here are a source of joy for many members.

Edited 4 hours ago by Ed Kennell

[slk 8]

Wow would have never guessed that. I tried to loosen it with a pair of gloves on and it would not budge. It is so buggered up it would cut you if not wearing gloves.   

[squonk 47,927]

2 hours ago, lynnmor said:

 

Just some minor causalities.

 

Missed the broken headlight lens

[lynnmor 9,019]

Just now, squonk said:

Missed the broken headlight lens

He already covered that.

[lynnmor 9,019]

2 minutes ago, slk said:

Wow would have never guessed that. I tried to loosen it with a pair of gloves on and it would not budge. It is so buggered up it would cut you if not wearing gloves.   

You tighten the belt by turning counter clockwise.  There are separate owners manuals for the tractor and mower.

[slk 8]

Thanks for that info. Would have never thought counter clockwise would add tension.