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Steering wheel moves 3-4" either way before tires move.
I've checked the gear plate and gear on end of steering shaft. They look great (no wear). What could be causing this problem? Thanks in advance for your input.

There is two areas of concern here.

One is the steering shaft bushing. Item #16 It tends to wear egg shape. In order to replace this bushing you will need a hi torque #4 Phillips (cross point) bit and a good impact as it has a red loctite patch on the screw.

The other area is item #4 (3/8-16 x 1.00 Gr8) which is a fully threaded cap screw. It should be replaced with a partial threaded cap screw as the threads get smushed over time allowing the sector plate item #1 to move back and forth before moving item #17. You want this unthreaded portion to be just short of the full length of the bushing and frame hole thickness but where you can still tighten it fully. Usually this screw will need to be inserted from the frame side instead as pictured. Now if this has been left loose too long then the hole in the frame may be damage and would need to repaired too. depending when MTD change this the hole may be squared for a carriage bolt or not.

Sounds like you nailed it. Thank you so much for your response.

Here is a picture. Does it look like everything is there?

Yes everything is there but that won't tell if the bushing or pivot screw is worn. While turn the steering back and forth you got to see if there is any abnormal movement. If that happen and draglink #17 don't move then that play must be removed.

The problem you describe is a common problem with this particular MTD steering system which why I replace the bushing and screw on a lot the mower here. It also why I stock the parts so I don't have to wait a week for the parts to show up.

I have a Simplicity Broadmoor with similar play in the steering. Does it use a similar design?

Model number from serial number tag please so I can look up the IPL. I haven't work a Simplicity here so I must research it. I do know they are not built by MTD as far as I know.

StarTech said:

Model number from serial number tag please so I can look up the IPL. I haven't work a Simplicity here so I must research it. I do know they are not built by MTD as far as I know.

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Sorry, I’m 1100 miles from my mower and will be until early April. I’ll try to resurect this thread when I get home.
I appreciate all of the effort you put into helping people solve problems.

Briggs and Stratton now owns Simplicity depends on how old it is as to who made it.

hlw49 said:

Briggs and Stratton now owns Simplicity depends on how old it is as to who made it.

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You mean they did as they have kill the Simplicity line along the Snapper line.

The not particularly good quick test is a worn bush will steer easily left and hard right as one direction the teeth climb and the other way the teeth pull .