My Craftsman T1700 tractor won't turn left; can only make right turns. Solution works on some other models and brands like Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and John Deere.
Thanks so much for the video!!! I have a Craftsman T110 and it's been a fixer upper since day 1, but my brother gave it to me for free, so I really can't complain. It started not turning left the last time I mowed and I also broke the PTO cable, so it has been sitting while I waited for the new cable to be delivered. Got it installed today and figured I'd check RU-vid for any solutions to the turning problem. Followed your steps and sure enough the channel was packed with hard gunk. Cleaned everything and reinstalled everything and BAM!! It now turns better than ever!!! As a 45yo woman who doesn't have anyone to help me, I was able to do both the PTO cable and the steering gears myself in under 4 hours!!! (On a gravel driveway, no shade, 100 degrees and humid here in GA, and frequent water breaks 🙋🏼♀️🥵) I can't express how happy I am to you !!!!!😁😁😁
WOW! THANK YOU! My mower wouldn't turn left. I came across this video. Mine is. TROY BILT Pony and set up the same way as yours. We took it apart and there was dirt trapped in the slot. Put it back together, even after forgetting to use a marker, and all is well. My mower turns beautifully!!! I hope others come across this video that have a Troy built.
Wow... followed the step-by-step instructions to this video; and sure enough... there was compressed dirt that prevented the steering wheel to turn all the way left. Literally in the same area. RU-vid is a BEAST!!!. Thanks so much "Fix Everything Yourself".
Thank you so very much! Your video worked successfully on my craftsman! You save me $100 for pick up and delivery by a repair shop, $200 for the repair, and another $200 or $300 because I don’t have to hire a lawn service while I wait 3 weeks for the repair to be completed. The video was clear, concise, and it was really helpful to know I needed both a 1/2 inch and 9/16 wrench.
Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks for this video. It helped a lot getting realigned. Lost thirty minutes because first time I put the shaft on backwards like a genius, but all squared away now. Thank you sir!
Thank you so much! After only making right turns for most of last season, I found this video and showed it to my husband this spring. It took him quite a bit longer than your 7 minute video to make the repair, (bolts were hard to remove) but once he was done, voila! I can now turn left again! I can once again circle the trees, make 3 point turns, zigzag around the bushes--yahoo! Thank you so much. My time spent mowing is so much less frustrating!
That's great! I was just as frustrated before I decided to take it apart and figure out what the problem was. And it takes me more than 7 minutes, too 🙂
A few folks have suggested using compressed air to remove the debris. I just did this procedure on my Craftsman. Disassembly WAS necessary, as compressed air could not even begin to remove the hard-packed grass and dust. (I tried that first!) Thank you for this video!
Our was that way from day 1!! They swore there was nothing wrong with it, Now it finally popped today, I'm wanting to Order the parts from Sears Craftsman, I'm also thinking to order the parts were the Wheels go on to.
This my third repair of a Craftsman T140. First time I followed this great how to video and got it fixed. The next two times, now that I understand the mechanics, I used an electric pressure washer set to pin stream and cleaned out the crack while moving wheel left to right. Worked perfectly and was a real time saver. BUT I'd have never understood how to do until I took it apart so many kudos to this Guy.
This was the exact fix to my issue. I lost my complete ability to turn left. After some generous WD40 on the bolts the plate was off and I found it packed with solid mud on the one side. Thanks for the great video.
Short cut: No need to disassemble the gear mechanism. Simply remove bolt the gear rides on 1/2 inch. Use short screw driver or any other tool that will fit in the hole. Turn wheels until you see debris then simply push them through the hole. Repeat until clear. Finish by simply using a leaf blower or any form of compressed air to clear debris out from under gear. To prevent this from occurring again simply clean under the hood with leaf blower a few times during the season.
Thank you so much!!! My exact problem. Fixed it myself and drilled a hole in the frame and inserted an air tip on the bottom. I can now just hook up to my compressor tip and blow it out without disassembling everytime. Cheers...
I just ran through these steps on my 2018 Troy-Bilt Bronco. I think it has a tighter turning radius now than when they dropped it off here back in 2018. Thanks Man!!!
Same here with my Craftsman. Brand new and left turns were never this sharp. Always thought it was designed this way. Finally got to the point I couldn’t make left turns and found this video. Now left turns are as sharp as right.
Thanks,very good video .Got me right to the source of my steering problem.I did cut out the side sheet metal in order to facilitate impact ratchet as I feel this will end up happening again so I want quick and easy access to the bolts.I closed the opening with removable plate access cover.I only loosened the bolts (did not remove)and was able to blow out the restrictive debris from the gears
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! You saved me from yet another cussing fit with my mower! This thing has frustrated me so many times! I had no idea there was a channel that could be clogged with debris. Your video was so much appreciated! GOD bless you sir!
Thank you so much. My mower is a Troy Bilt Bronco but it looks the same as your Craftsman. The bolts where a pain to get off but I got it all back together and it steers great now!
This was perfect for my exact same issue I was having with my troy-bilt rider. Instructions were clear and to the point. Thank you for providing this video ! Much appreciated !
Came here for the same reason my darn troy built pony won't turn left. Makes a hard right tho lol. Been like that since I can remember and i bought it new 2019 but I will admit that with my yards layout and the blower side being on the right I almost don't turn left ever. But when I need to I would like to be able to! Haven't attempted yet but hears to hoping. Thanks!
Son of a frickin’ biscuit!!!! This worked!!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I mowed my 1/2 acre lot last week using only right turns and backing up. Took forever AND a whole tank of gas. 😂
That's great, Robert! It was very frustrating when it first happened after buying the tractor new but I was glad when it turned out to be pretty easy to fix.
If you have a compressor you can blow out the packed garbage without disassembly (at least on my model). Turn the steering wheel all the way to one side and blow out the exposed slot, then turn it all the other ay and blow out the other side of the slot. A LOT easier than taking it apart, although the instructions work great if you are compressor-less.
@@FixEverythingYourself I took a quick fix since my mower is relatively new. They area you cleaned, I took a garden house on high stream and worked the wheel back and forth and now able to turn left. Not sure if I have full range but I think a do. In Florida the dirt was sand not clumped dirt so water may work in this case.
@@FixEverythingYourself Do you do a video regarding mower stalling out during mowing? I cleaned filters recently and have enough gas and also changed spark plug recently.
No, I don't currently have any of videos of that as I haven't encountered any problems (yet). BUCKWSR has a good channel with many small engine troubleshooting and repair videos. He may have something. Good luck. Sounds frustrating.
Video very helpful, had the same problem every year after leaves. Kinda awkward area to work and have discovered periodically spraying WD40 into the gap on extreme right and left turn seems to dislodge/dissolve the debris and restore turning radius without having to disassemble and reassemble.
without taking everything apart I blew it off with a leaf blower then Soaked that area with some penetrating oil,worked the steering right and left a couple of times and now it seems to be ok,turns more than it was before.
Interesting approach. I was able to improve mine somewhat with some other approaches but the dirt in the gear plate was almost rock hard and I couldn't get the last bit out without taking it apart. Haven't tried the oil trick, though...
Great video. I do have some ideas for solutions to this issue. Do you think it might help to drill holes downward to allow the debris to fall out on its own? Also, would regular pressure washing or using compressed air in that area work as preventive maintenance?
I think both ideas are reasonable. Other people have commented that they use compressed air and/or water to keep that area clean. Both are worth trying vs. disassembling regularly.
I need to know how to do this fix on an 2005 husqvarna gt2254 mower, there's no channel for grass to build up and I feel like the steering wheel shaft is off center from the sector gear. . . Great video just wish it was my model
I have the t130 and it has the same issue, going out to fix, thanks, I thought I would have to re-index the gear because it still has teeth left over for a RH turn when the wheel will no longer turn. It appears the opposite situation on the LH turn, running out of gear teeth. Maybe I have a duel issue.
I had a different problem. The bushing on the bottom of the steering shaft (bellow teeth) was worn out allowing teeth to skip. Cheap, crappy, soft material. I had a 40 year old Simplicity mower that never ever gave me trouble. New mowers are all junk in every way. I am always working on mine. It's one thing or another.
Same problem.... narrowed it down to this same area. Was about to take this assembly apart on my T2600, found your video to ensure I wasn't making a mistake I could not fix. Any idea on how to prevent this? Was a total pain in the arse to get to those two bolts on mine.
Some people have put their solutions in the Comments, so read thru those. I used some foil tape to build up a thick wall of tape to block the gap a bit from debris being able to get in there. Not a perfect solution but helps delay the time it takes for it to occur..
I have one of the t1500 I replaced the deck belts and drive belts. I didn't take any pics. I can't remember where a spring goes. Do you have any info where I can see where the springs on the mower frame are mounted?
Here's a video I just did on removing the deck. Maybe the spring you're looking for is in here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-00nGA7XxIdQ.html
Wow this is the second video on steering rod and is it just me but all these lad's don't clean down their mower after each use, I use a leaf blower on mine. Prevention is better than cure.
Mine doesn't bind, it SLIPS. Mower is 2 years old. Bought new. Same steering assembly as yours. Seems teeth on gear dont mesh as closely as yours. Sprayed some lithium on there and helped for 45 mins. Any adjustments to move gear just a hair closer to gear on bottom of steering shaft? Nothings worn visually, all looks good, could just use a little less gap between shaft gear and bigger gear....
Does your gear plate have the circular spacer in the center hole that the bolt goes through? Not having that would cause the problem you're describing. If that's not the issue, it would be challenging to modify it to work correctly. Has it been like that since new? You may just need a new gear plate if the teeth are worn?
@@FixEverythingYourself actually yesterday I looked into it deeper. Whatever is at bottom of steering shaft, that goes through frame is toast. It wobbles. Only a Philip's head screw underneath. Gotta somehow find this part and hope screw comes out of bottom of steering shaft easily.. This is a new issue, mower produced in 2019! Hope I can find that worn pc! Update! Turns out its the spacer that sits in frame, that steering shaft rotates in. Wore out, new one coming. What a poor design!
Mine slips too, but only when it gets to the point of not wanting to turn. I took the plates off, wiped the dirt off, and I'm going to clean the plates and put some new grease between the plates and see if that fixes it. It could be the same issue you are having so I'll have to look into that when I'm working on it tomorrow.
Yeah, it's an annoying problem. I used some foil tape (kind of like duct tape) to block where the dirt gets in. You may be able to see it in the video. It helps delay the problem but doesn't eliminate it. Good luck!
Hopefully that my problem my steering rod broke off the ball joint so I used a bolt to fix it after going into the ditch at my house twice now that I got that done it doesn't want to turn all the way to the right
anybody in NE Ohio that can fix a riding mower for me with steering that is totally stripped on making turns.?..the tires are splayed out and it's just making huge wide turns that I have to keep backing on and trying to then recorrect to then go straight.....it's totally gone on an Airiens mower (husquvarna engine).....
I followed your instructions. However, for reasons unknown to me, now my riding lawn mower turns in the opposite direction than steering wheel is turned...
I have a Snapper Yard Machine Riding mower. Do you have a video and how to check my steering on it? My mower wont turn right, the steering wheel just spins with no grab or bite. It turns left fine, but not right? please send me the link if you have one with a Snapper 2018 yard machine riding mower. if not, I do have email if you can send me written instructions. I want to try to repair my mower myself since I have no trailer to take it anywhere and could use the help, any help will do. you do a great job on your video. Should I send you my email address or how do I talk to you...on this comment? Thank you...Have a BLESSED DAY!
