Mower deck Foot pedal for deck height assist has lots of play. affecting setting my deck height?

[350boatracing]

I have an 07 exmark lazer hp with 56" triton deck

The problem I'm having is I can't get my deck to sit with even pressure on all four chains. I got the back of the deck close to the same height on both sides but I noticed that the chain opposite corner of the height pedal had slack that is until I pushed down on its part of the deck. Then I noticed that the deck teeter totters when I push down near that chain and let up. The pedal has so much side to side and wobble play and when I support the top of the pedal upwards and inwards It keeps the necessary tension so that all of the chains have pressure on them.

Another problem is that I can't get the blades at the right height according to the numbers on the height adjustment. When I have the mower set to 3" the blades are around 2 1/2". I'm hoping the pedal helps but i'll still have the problem of the deck not being what it shows.

Any suggestions please?

 

[mechanic mark]

Inspect pedal assembly underneath with " hands on " approach, checking for worn out bushings, hardware loose or missing parts etc.

 

[350boatracing]

according to the diagram for my mower all the parts are in tact. The pin or rod part of the pedal assembly seems a little long and it is grooved at both ends I'm not sure if that's normal or it is wear from being loose I'm thinking it's from wear. I need to know from someone else that has a lazer if that pedal should have a lot of play in it?