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My mower is the Poulan Pro model PPR17H42STA.

The plastic bushing that stabilizes the steering column has snapped and I need to replace it. I removed the bolt holding the wheel to the steering column but it did not come free. I then removed the wheel itself to see if that helped but it did not. I'll post some pictures to help. There is a metal attachment used link the wheel to the column and it prevents me from replacing the broken bushing. Any help getting this piece off would be appreciated. The silver piece at the top of the column is what I need to remove to get the broken plastic piece free and install a new one.

My only plan so far is hitting it with the hammer, but that jostles the gears too much and doesn't seem to loosen the silver attachment any.

If anyone has removed one of these before please tell me how you did it.

JamesD said:

My only plan so far is hitting it with the hammer, but that jostles the gears too much and doesn't seem to loosen the silver attachment any.

If anyone has removed one of these before please tell me how you did it.

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Check the parts diagram for your mower.
If it does not show the top section as a part, it does not come off.
Generally you pull the gear off the bottom them slide the shaft up

bertsmobile1 said:

Check the parts diagram for your mower.
If it does not show the top section as a part, it does not come off.
Generally you pull the gear off the bottom them slide the shaft up

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Thank you for that suggestion. I looked up the part and from what I can tell it is depicted as separate. The numbers are blurry but it looks like part number 44.

I'll look into removing the bushing by sliding it to the bottom of the column but if I'm reading the diagram right it looks like it won't slide over the bottom of part number 17 either.

Thanks again, I appreciate any further consideration.

What part number is broken?

some penetrating oil and a good slide hammer would work good for removing the top shiny shaft. Maybe your local auto parts store has loaner tools.

BlazNT said:

What part number is broken?
View attachment 31664

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Thanks for supplying that picture. The part I need to replace is 36. The diagram is misleading though because part 36 sits on part 17 under part 44 and its inner diameter is too small to slide past part 44 or over the bottom of part 17.

Part 36 screws into the mowers dash in order to help keep the steering column in place while you turn. Part 44 just attaches the wheel to the column.

NorthBama said:

some penetrating oil and a good slide hammer would work good for removing the top shiny shaft. Maybe your local auto parts store has loaner tools.

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Not a bad idea, thanks.

Remove bolt 54 and put steering wheel back on. Turn and pull till it lets go.

BlazNT said:

Remove bolt 54 and put steering wheel back on. Turn and pull till it lets go.

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Hey thanks! That does the trick. After a few good turns to the left the friction gave and the piece came free.

Problem solved. :thumbsup: