Craftsman 46" steering toe is out.

[rron1229]

Hi, I am a newby to the forum. I have a small problem with my front end on a model 917.288130 and this is entirely my fault! I was cutting my grass and the steering is (was) excellent until it didn't quite make the turn and the right tire run into the concrete foundation. I now have one wheel going one way and the other not, going the same way. I can't see anything bent but the drag link now seems to be about a inch or so too long. I don't believe I hit hard enough to bend the drag link, so why is it longer instead of shorter?
Another thought was I was making a left hand turn and hit on the right tire. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Briana]

Hey there - WELCOME to LMF!

I moved your thread to the Craftsman Forum. :smile:

 

[benski]

It's possible that you jumped a gear in your steering box, but you probably bent or stretched something in your steering system. Jack the thing up, block it, remove both wheels, and take a good, hard look at the condition of your axle, steering linkage, and everything else down in there. You obviously bent or tweaked some thing or things.:frown:

 

[wjjones]

I dont know how yours is set up mine had the rod type drag link, and when i hit something it would bend/ bow upwards. I would take it off lay it on a flat surface, and beat it back straight with a baby sledge.

 

[Dangeroustoys56]

This is the steering setup from Sears.com :

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...P0812102/00005?blt=06&prst=0&shdMod=917288130

Looks similar to a late model murray with the twin arms setup- something probably jumped a gear or broke a gear - hate to say it, but the best way is to get up in there to see what the actual problem is, possibly taking stuff apart to see it......

 

[Duffer72]

Seems to me you bent either p/n 61 or 62 or or one of the wheel spindles it self, if the steering gears jumped it wouldn't make on go out farther than the other as they are on the same gear plate and it doesn't have the rod running from one spindle to the other to bend, should be pretty easy to locate what is bent.

 

[KennyV]

You either bent the spindle or smashed the bushing ... remove it & clean it up you should be able to spot the problem... :smile:KennyV

 

[wjjones]

You either bent the spindle or smashed the bushing ... remove it & clean it up you should be able to spot the problem... :smile:KennyV

Yep a crushed bushing will throw it out too.. good call KennyV i forgot about that one..:smile: