Loose Steering 417-A

[dunk50 6]

So which part is the normal culprit on a sloppy steering system. Is it the upper steering shaft, lower steering shaft or support. tie rods are OK and I can see the slop at the fan and gear and the end of the shafts. Your thoughts!!

[rmaynard 16,237]

Wow. Where to begin. There are so many areas that could be the culprit.

Lets start with the upper steering shaft. That sits in a steering support mounted to the frame. The 3/4" hole is lined with a bronze bushing. If the bushing is worn and the hole is egg shaped, this will allow the upper steering shaft to move away from the fan gear on the lower steering shaft, causing play. If the upper steering shaft gear at the bottom is worn, it will do the same thing, but to a lesser degree.

Lets move to the forward end of the lower steering shaft. It rides in a pillow bearing. If the lower steering shaft can be moved back and forth, that will also allow too much play between the fan gear and the upper steering shaft gear. This can be corrected with shims.

If the tie rod mounting bolts are loose, either at the lower steering shaft or the spindles, that will cause slop. They can be tightened. If the ball joints themselves are worn, that can cause play.

In my opinion, most times the play is in the upper shaft gear to fan gear area.

[dodge78 94]

check this weld

[pfrederi 18,569]

In my experience most can be fixed by adding a shim washer on the steering shaft (the one from center bracket to the front o f thetractor. Remove the cotter pin at the rear end and put in a 3/4" shim washer replace cotter pin see if you have any front to rear movement.

[dunk50 6]

Dang you guys are good!! I think there are two probems.

https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/index.cfm?xCaller=Toro

#1 Lets start with the upper steering shaft. That sits in a steering support mounted to the frame. The 3/4" hole is lined with a bronze bushing. If the bushing is worn and the hole is egg shaped, this will allow the upper steering shaft to move away from the fan gear on the lower steering shaft, causing play. If the upper steering shaft gear at the bottom is worn, it will do the same thing, but to a lesser degree.

QUESTION is the upper brass bearing one piece? Mine seems to be broken or is a two piece just below the steering support frame. It is item #24 (bearing flanged).

#2 In my experience most can be fixed by adding a shim washer on the steering shaft (the one from center bracket to the front o f thetractor. Remove the cotter pin at the rear end and put in a 3/4" shim washer replace cotter pin see if you have any front to rear movement.

Question: would this washer go to the left of part #18. I definitely have some slop with the lower shaft which I could believe the washer would fix!.

These two items are probably my problem and you guys are great as usual.

The washer is not a problem. Where can I get a bronze bushing and how difficult to install it. I am pretty mechanical but do not have a torch if that is required for steering wheel / shaft removal!

[rmaynard 16,237]

The shims would go between the support and the cotter pin.

You can lift the steering column by loosening the set screw on the collar. The gear end will pull up and out of the support mounted to the frame. The problem is that the bushing is pressed into the support. I got what was left of mine out with a screw driver, then I found some thin brass shim stock and made a new one.

If that is where your problem is, you may want to look for a new or good used support with a good bushing in it.

[dunk50 6]

Rmaynard, I can see where if I loosened the set screw on the collar I could raise the steering column and yes pull it out of the support. That does not appear to be the part that is worn. It is part #24 on this spec sheet. Are you saying that I have to pull the entire steering column!! Sorry for being ignorant but trying to learn.

https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/index.cfm?xCaller=Toro

[sorekiwi 761]

I havent seen a 417, but from the parts drawing it looks more or less the same as most of the horses I have seen.

For play in the upper steering shaft bush, take a look at this thread:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...353&hl=steering

The steering support on the frame that Bob is talking about sometimes breaks one of the lugs off. Sometimes it is hard to see that it is broken until you unbolt it.

The other area that is always sloppy is the bearing at the front of the lower steering shaft (Toro part #6472). If you grab the lower steering shaft and try to pull it sideways you will feel if there is play at the front of the shaft. The bearing itself is attached to the frame underneath the motor. They're only $8 from Toro.