Craftsman R110 Steering Problem DIY Step by Step fix! Save money! 

Used your fix today and it's like brand new. Took about 30 minutes. I removed the front tires which gave me better access. Thank you sir for the video.

I had the same exact issue with the same craftsman. I just finished it up a few hours ago. Your fix worked perfectly for me. Thanks for the information

Thank you Thank you Thank you Saved me time and money…and a headache!

I have the Troy Bilt version. I just had to do the same repair. I ended up replacing the whole assembly. A couple of things to keep in mind to lessen the likelihood of it happening again. Grease the rack and pinion frequently, and make sure the front tires are properly inflated before you run it

Great video, thanks! I thought I was going to have to drill new holes to relocate the bracket, so I'm glad I found your video. Your video was also well done. Thanks again.

TY so much, this is happening to my father's R110. I must say I envy your touch on the bending of the metal piece with your precision strikes. I doubt I'll get that lucky ;-)!

My mower is not even a year old and the drive tires are flopping where ever they want, just bend that piece up in the back! That was a very good video, you explained the problem and the fix well as a plus you didn't waste a lot of time explaining how to do it! Thanks.

Thank You Sir! The world needs more helpful guys like you.

One of the best, most instructive and comprehensive videos I’ve ever seen. Thank you !

I have replaced the gears on my Cub Cadet twice. Thank you for the right repair to this problem!!

Great video! Very informative, easy to understand, and has excellent camera coverage of it all. Mine is a Troy-Built but basically, the same thing, bought mine in 2012. I will be doing this to mine one day real soon, video is much appreciated, thank you!

I have a Poulan Pro 301 that had the same problem. That plastic part wears out, but was no longer available. For the sake of time, I shimmed it forward after reading the comments. This worked great, but yours is a much better long term fix that I will do at another time. One of the best repair videos I’ve be ever seen. Great job!

Your video has been so helpful for me, I'm going to do just what you did and grease my parts as well. My steering has a lot of play in it. Thanks!!

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this information. I just had my craftsman steering do exactly what happened to yours. I fixed it yesterday following your instructions and it is running perfectly now. The hardest part to the repair, was getting out the cotter pin, glad you said to buy a new one before you get started, as I did need it.

Thank you so much for this video. I just had my R110 delivered Monday. If I ever need to fix it, you have taught me so much. I did buy extra steering wheel rack kits and have them on hand if I need to replace those too. I really appreciate this great information/ video you made to help others. You’re the Best. Thanks again.

Had the same issue with the R140. This fix worked perfectly. The only difference is unplugging/plugging the headlight. Thank you!

Worked great! Thanks for the information! I put a little hot melt glue around the shoulder bolts after removing the pinion gear assembly. That way I didn’t have to remove the upper housing.

You just saved me. Did this last night, HUGE change. Now I just need to replace the carburetor

I've got exactly the same issue. This video is great!. I really like how you didn't skip any steps and explained everything.

Great vid! My dad bought this mower a couple of years ago. I've been the sole operator of this mower and it has been a struggle. I've sworn that this mower was junk because of the steering problems. My mower does the same thing and recently I've had to steer by pushing the wheels in the direction I want to go. Definitely doing this fix before my next mow. FYI to any other R110 owners if u need a quick steering fix before doing this, I've learned the mower turns better in reverse than forward. In case you need a tip to finish a certain part of the lawn before doing this fix.

I am so thankful for your video! It worked like a charm and sure enough I did have to get new cotter pins but it was only $.90! Also my mower didn’t have the black plastic pieces… just metal on metal but it still worked. Thanks again!

Great video! To the point, no idle conversation. Nice.

Thanks! Just finished following these instructions and steering is fixed!

Kudos to you for an easy fix and superior video production. It's, always, great to see re-engineers solve a problem. I just bought a Craftsman R110, and noticed loose steering right away... will R&R steering gear at first opportunity to correct the slop.

My man!! I had already welded up the teeth to make them taller before seeing this video. So now, this thing is SOLID!! Much appreciated bro!! 💯💪

I did this, now it works great ! Thank you so much !

Great! Life saver fix. Thank you for sharing. The mower is running like new again.

You can also just wrap some zip ties around the housing to remove the slop in the plastic slide. The housing has 2 convenient slots the perfect size for a zip tie to fit and tighten everything up nicely.

Excellent presentation! worked like a charm. thank you for posting.

I was just about to order the steering assembly on Amazon. Then I said to myself let me see if there is a way that I can do a fix without buying parts. Great video. Even if my gear plate and pinion are too worn they’re not expensive on Amazon- $15-$20 for the set. But I will definitely give this a go, thank you

Just got my new craftsman R110. Well done instructional video. I'm a subscriber.

I used to video to replace the entire kit. Kit cost me $35. Could not have done it without your video. Thank you would have cost me more just to transport my lawn mower to the repair shop.

I am going to do this tomorrow, this will be the second time it was replace about 2 years ago . Got the part today am going to grease the teeth and pinon also my mower is a Murray got from Wal - Mart 2013 . I hope this one stays working this time . Thank You for the video.

Just fixed my steering, actually tighter than new, works great. Thanks

Thank you, I'm certainly going to try this by the weekend.

Thanks! This really helped me fix my mower.

This video is excellent! Thank you so much for sharing this content. I was able to fix the steering because of this. Much appreciated!!!

man I followed this video to the T and it worked just like you said it would!! Thanks!

Very Detailed Video!!! Thank you so much!!!!

The wheelie popping death kart steers once more! Thanks Mang!

Thanks, was helpful. I used a 6 inch c clamp and was able to perform same fix without disassembling. The c clamp fix perfectly. I work both ends two times and in less than 10 minutes was done

This worked like a charm, thank you! Great job.

Excellent video , thank you for posting !!!

Outstanding video. I wondered how you could do this! Great job!

OMG thank you for posting this video, this is the second one of these mowers I’ve had with the same problem, first one I gave away and second one was getting ready to put in a garage sale, but the price of them has gone up so much I can’t afford a new one, so am going to try this fix, wish me luck🤪

Perfect video! That fixed my steering problem and helped me a lot. Thank you very much.

I fix mine by watching your video took care of it thanks for shareing

I really needed this video, THANKS!!!

Thanks man I’ve got that problem with my mower!

Hey man, thanks to you I made that repair to my mower! I did remove the wheels for convenience though. Just saying thanks! Benny

Your video worked for us. Thank you!

Thanks brother, your video was a great help.

Excellent video!thanks

Great for my hubby lil longer pins... But a great fix... Much needed

Great video! The only problem I had was getting one cotter pin out because of the way it was positioned. I had a concern as to which way the gear went back in. I either got lucky or it doesn't matter. If it doesn't matter it means you may be able to flip the gear if one side is worn or damaged. Also, to save a little work you only need to take one linkage rod off and you can leave the plastic part in but neither is a big deal. I can't imagine that you can bend the bracket without taking it out completely. It looks like it is 10 ga. steel. Half hour job - once you know what your doing.

I appreciate your video. Nice watch band. 😊

great repair video!

I have the Craftsman version of this MTD-built 30” rider, which appeared under different brand names including Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet. Essentially, they are all the same mower. I bought mine new in the Spring of 2015, so as of Nov. 2022, I have used it for 8 seasons. From what I’ve read, my 2015 machine has the original version of that rack & pinion setup, which was the most prone to failure. I can see that the model in this video has the first revision meant to fix the wear in the steering. I guess they have revised it yet again with a better fix. - At any rate, I started my yearly preparation for storage this week, and today I cleaned and lubed the rack and pinion like I have every November of the past 7 seasons. - Despite all the complaints I’ve read about this problem, my steering is just a good as it was when new! Here is my take on how I might have prevented the issue. 1. I read my owner’s manual soon after the purchase, and looked at all maintenance instructions, including storage. In Ohio, our mowers get used from April into November or sometimes December. They get caked with plenty of dirt, grass, and mud. I used the manual faithfully to get ready for winter, and followed the instructions to keep that steering rack greased. 2. At the end of that first season, I went to re-grease that rack, but couldn’t without cleaning it first. It took forever and a can of carb cleaner & the garden hose. The grease on those exposed parts was full of gritty dirt, which isn’t a good thing. After a ton of work, I was a filthy mess, but that rack & pinion were clean and re-greased. 3. A year later: same gritty grease, same big cleanup, same filthy, greasy me. This went on for yet another year. 4. After the first few rounds of this torture, it became clear that GREASE WAS A PROBLEM because it held dirt. And that’s about the time I started to read message board complaints about terrible wear and tear. SO: I tried two procedures. 5. First, I started using dry lubricant after thoroughly cleaning the parts. I used a dry release Teflon spray, but graphite should also work. Do a search on “dry lubricants.” 6. Second, I have ALWAYS used the Deck Wash system after mowing. So the first thing I do is use the hose to wash out that rack after mowing. It takes a few extra seconds, and I just turn the wheels and spray up under the rack as best I can. I don’t lift the mower or disassemble anything. 7. Now, come November, I clean any excess dirt off the gear and rack with a parts brush and some WD-40. I imagine that a good detergent like 409 and water would do fine. Once dry- it gets dry lubed again, then off to the shed until Spring. Cleaning the steering is now a much smaller chore, and I stay clean! It’s time well spent. Like I said- my rack & pinion show NO unusual wear at all, and mine is the original (flawed?) design. I initially worried about the Teflon spray being as effective as grease. -Not worried anymore. If it fails in a year or two, I’ve still had better luck than a lot of people. Next Spring will be season 9 for this mower, which I have found to be very reliable so far.

Thank you for this share your a life saver.

Good fix, took care of my problem and took only 1/2 hour and free

Awesome video man, thanks.

Worked great. Thank you for the video. Just one hint, when taking off the cotter pins you may find it easier to take the front wheels off.

I have the Craftsman R1000, likely an older version of your mower? I used your video to repair the same steering issue I was having. Thanks for sharing!

Works perfect. Thanks a million

Nice work!!! I have one of these so...thanks!

Good video - thank you!

This is awesome! Thanks

The teeth on the flat bar of my mower were chipped. I bought a kit from Amazon and followed these instructions minus the hammer, and it was a very easy job. The hardest part was pulling the cotter pins. Also, if you have your mower lifted for a very long time, you might want to let it sit on its wheels for a while before you try to start it.

I would also put grease on that gear and bar to help slow down wear. I plan on buying one of these but didn't know how to take steering wheel off so it would fit in my kids Jeep. The seat removal will be easy. I see it's only held on by a cross bolt through the steering shaft. Thanks for the help. Great how to Vid. :)

Thank you. Saved me some $$

Thanks just fixed mine 🎉🎉

Nice one bro, just got mine today (Rover Mini Rider 382), think I might just get on to this before it becomes an issue, excellent vid 👍 👏 👌

yes! thank you!

Great quick DIY fix. mower was purchased for $700 after only being used 1 month by a guy who went through a divorce and no longer had his home. This fix made the mower an absolute steal as it works perfect, tight turn radius, clean cut and easy to use. Thanks for the tip!

it worked!! thank you!!!

Thank You!

thanks for the info

Thanks for the tip. New parts cost $100, I heard. I love saving money!

Congrats on 5k subscribers

Great repair!

Nice one mate my bad for not being around

thank you

Nice repair. I'd suggest putting some grease on the gear to help lube it.

Just the video I was looking for. Mine does the same thing. I will find out but mine started because I was too close to my chainlink fence and it pulled the steering around. Once it slipped it gradually got worse. I may have bad teeth on that rack bar. I will find out. Thanks

I used 4 large wire ties to pull the flat bar with teeth closer to the round gear. There is a couple holes to pass the ties thru. Its been 2 years now and no wear on the plastic ties. Just pull the bar tight with ties. I took it all apart also but then it just dawned on me😮

DUDE! Thank you!

Thanks

Great video but I would lubricate the rack and pinion for smoother operation.

thats awesome

I have the same mower the bar teeth was skipping from wear. I ordered a new one from mower shop and installed it and fixed steering problem.. I saw they had the same part at Amazon but had bad reviews the one I was looking at.. Mine looked like the teeth had wore down..

This DIY fix only lasted a few months before I had the same issue again. Do yourself a favor and buy the steering service kit 753-11064B instead of bending the metal bracket. This video at least helps show how to take everything apart and put it back together.

Awesome dude save me

Thanks. Bought this new from Home Depot under the Troy-Bilt label. When assembling the steering shaft does not turn the wheels? So wondering if it steering linkage came loose during the shipment? Any thoughts? Steering wheel turns but not the wheels? Video is great and easy to follow!

Cool 😎👍

think you much

Great video. My TB 30 steering starting to slip. Will replace soon thanks to your video. How did you prop the mower up? Looks like it was a stool. Did you place the stool inside the deck? Thank you

Same problem, however, I can't free the 1/2" nut. It's just 3 years old and wasn't too dirty. Soaked it with WD-40 and still won't budge. Keeps slipping.

Thank you for this! Worked extremely well. Question for you. Are you having leveling issues on side to side.

If any parts are damaged I just checked Amazon. They have several brands of the rack and pinion gear for about 18$. One has the plastic also. They had so many it must be giving people problems.

👏👏