Steering locked up on J. deere LT 155

[OkieMowerDude]

I am stumped on this one. On my old J. Deere rider LT 155 steering suddenly locked up. It will not turn even a little bit either right or left. The problem seems be located at the bottom end of the steering column, not in the front end. I could sure use some advice!

Hank

 

[bullfrog]

OkieMowerDude, Good Morning, From what I have found this is a common problem with the Lt 155. The steering shaft and bearings and also the bottom of steering shaft which has cogs in it either strip out or the plate this mates with the teeth go bad. If you will do a google search and you will find parts to repair and some good pictures of the problem.
Hope this helps out some,
Bullfrog

 

[Pineapple]

If the steering is anything like the L 120, I'd bet it's either the sector gear (flat piece of soft steel w/ teeth on the edge, and/or the pinion gear). Kinda a PIA to change out but not rocket science. I wonder if hardening the components would help? I know this is of no help, but I' take a look at the pinion and sector for extreme wear. AB

 

[Rivets]

More than likely the lower bearing/bushing on the steering shaft is worn out and may be gone. May have to replace the bearing, gear and sector plate. Your going to have to disassemble to decide what is bad.

 

[mfe1021]

I am stumped on this one. On my old J. Deere rider LT 155 steering suddenly locked up. It will not turn even a little bit either right or left. The problem seems be located at the bottom end of the steering column, not in the front end. I could sure use some advice!

Hank

It was the lower bushing on my lt160. Jacked the front end up with lever to clear ground, sprayed wd40 on bushing and now it is a go.

 

[reynoldston]

I little lube dose wonders. You just might try something a little heaver then WD40 for more of a lasting job.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I little lube dose wonders. You just might try something a little heaver then WD40 for more of a lasting job.

Double ditto.
manual calls for oil applied very regularly.
There is more to servicing your mower than changing oil & filters.
Locking up can be the bearing rusting onto the shaft , the teeth of the gears locking into each other or just some debris stuck under the fan plate.

I like to drop the deck then stand the mower up on it's bum, makes it easier to work on, just make sure the fuel tank in empty and the battery removed.
Once the unit is up you can then do an easy visual on all of the drive pulleys & deck lift linkages.

 

[mechanic mark]

John Deere Model LT155 Lawn Tractor Parts, Page 2 page 2 has your steering parts, make sure to grease gears a couple times a year.