Steering wheel play

[Carlsbarn 0]

Can steering wheel play be adjusted out ? Tractors are 310-8 & C175-8

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

Given that no major damage has been sustained in your steering system,

the answer to your question is

Yes

[sorekiwi 761]

It depends where the slop is coming from...

Check the tie rods for a loose joint there. If so they will need replacement.

There is a bearing at the front of the horizontal steering shaft that often gets worn (its underneath the motor). Its about $7 from Toro.

If all the play is in the mesh between the steering gear and the fan gear, this can be adjusted out by shimming the horizontal steering shaft deeper into mesh. There is a split pin and some washers or shims on the back end of the shaft, behind the rearmost steering support on the frame.

Also take a good look at this steering support, its not uncommon for these to break, and its a commonly forgotten lubrication point.

[GlenPettit 1,717]

My most recent 312-8 had a lot of play because the metal holding the brass bearing wore & bent, elongating the hole in the dash sheet metal (PO was very very heavy & big).

Cleaned up the area, tightened everything, then used JBWeld to firmly secure the bearing to the metal & filling in the worn gap (1/8" + all a round), then added a little metal within the JBWeld for reinforcement. Now it's very snug and doubt/hope the bearing will never need replacement, was also very sure I could not get the steering wheel apart, so it was left in place.

[Carlsbarn 0]

Thanks for info !

[sorekiwi 761]

My most recent 312-8 had a lot of play because the metal holding the brass bearing wore & bent, elongating the hole in the dash sheet metal

Good point Glenn, I missed that one.

My 520 was badly worn there, and the brass bush was flopping around inside the bracket on the back of the dash.

I ended up spinning up a stel bush that I could press the brass bush into, and welded the steel bush to the dash bracket. (I dont remember if the 312 uses a similar setup? )