Repair Pony Steering

[handygeek]

I viewed the linked YouTube info and looked around here - so this is more of a clarification than lots new.





The white stuff is white Lithium spray I initially used to loosen things up.

Then I read the links and posts here and recognized the problem.

If I understand correctly I need to find a way to insert a bushing where the shaft passes through the soft metal to keep the gear from moving?

Or, could I add a spring to pull the gear toward the teeth?

 

[ILENGINE]

There should be a bushing under that gear portion of the steering shaft. It is less than a 1/4 in thick.

 

[handygeek]

There is but the where the shaft passes through the floor it wobbles - a bad design flaw seen in some of the YouTube clips posted in other threads.

The cure is to prevent that wobble (allowing the teeth to disengage or slip).

I'm hoping someone has a solution before I need to invent my own.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

There is but the where the shaft passes through the floor it wobbles - a bad design flaw seen in some of the YouTube clips posted in other threads.

The cure is to prevent that wobble (allowing the teeth to disengage or slip).

I'm hoping someone has a solution before I need to invent my own.

There is a solution. Replace parts that are worn out. Pinion gear, sector gear and the mentioned bushing that keeps the pinion gear in mesh with the sector gear.

 

[handygeek]

The tractor is only a year old and the original materials have already failed.

Has anyone found better quality materials that will not wear quite as quickly.

Sure don't want to be tearing this down annually.

Thanks

 

[SeniorCitizen]

The age of a lawn tractor is irrelevant. What matters is the hours of neglected operation. In this instance the bushing has never been oiled and the gear teeth have never been greased because the manufacturer didn't provide a means to do so and didn't suggest it in the operator's manual. We have to determine on our own how to do those two maintenance items before our mowers look like they just came back from combat duty.

 

[handygeek]

You are correct - keeping the area clean (cheap construction = no boot or other protection) - and greased would have been good.

I never even looked there as it never occurred to me they'd sell something so badly implemented.

Anyhow ...

I'm going to have to repair the "floor" as it's allowing the shaft to wobble - which won't change even after all of the other pieces are replaced.

It may appear tight-enough at first but it will inevitably destroy the new parts.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I've never owned a lawn tractor different than that and probably never will. To get a closed steering system I won't spend that kind of money just to mow grass and weeds. But I do oil the shaft bushing and grease the gear teeth and they last for several seasons.

 

[handygeek]

How often do you clear that area of debris and what do you use, please?

Air, water, brush?

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I don't clean it. I allow the dust accumulation act as a wick. I oil the bushing with most anything handy from 3-in one oil to bar and chain oil. Gun grease on the teeth of the gears.

If I had yours I would remove the nut that holds the sector gear assembly on and oil all that metal to metal moving section and pivot point.