Husky GTH26V54 loose steering gear sector plate

[kagey]

Hi all, this is my first post and my first tractor. I just got it used (engine date 2012) and am trying to tighten things up on it. The steering seems to be loose where the gear plate mates with the steering plate. If I manually pull the front tires together as toe-in as possible, the two plates mate nicely (both gear sector caps are snug, pushing up, on the steering plate in their slots). Then if i toe-out the tires (steering wheel doesn't move) the sector plate is not tight, there is about 3/32" - 4/32 of play. I have photos of this. I don't see any plastic parts in the parts diagram that could have reamed out, so wondering what the best way is to fix this? Do I Just have to tighten sector pivot bolt? I haven't tried that yet because it wasn't simple to get purchase on the top flange nut. The other steering parts downstream to the wheels seem pretty tight (the spindle tabs aren't bent).

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ILENGINE]

The truth is items 2, 4,5,6,7,35,58,61,62,66,67, and the mower frame can all be factors in the toe out or toe in situation. The sector gear bolt is a shoulder style bolt and doesn't do anything if overtightened.

 

[kagey]

Thanks. based on your message that it could be basically anything, I've started working my way back from the wheels to the steering plate. I created a shim which site between the axle and the front bushing (67). A washer with a 2 inch OD and reamed out the middle to fit around 67. There is now no slop in the axle pivot, and it pivots with a little bit of friction. wheels seem to be improved. The spindles look fine. I feel the next thing will be to add a washer above 58 to improve the bearing surface and snugness, and the last thing would be to get adjustable draglinks.
cheers

 

[StarTech]

That basically it as wear can be just anywhere and it just time and patience to check everything. Sometimes you get lucky it is found fairly quickly. I got a NZTR steering that I got to rebuild later myself as the customer has a tie rod ball joint failure. He is fairly rough on the mower so replacing all four draglinks since I got to drop the steering sector assembly.