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My craftsman tractor front wheels are pointed outwards instead of straight. It's not a huge problem but it affects my turning radius when I'm mowing or cruising . The wheels look like this: \-/ . I don't know if I need to replace a part or adjust something

If they look like that you need to have a front end alignment done. Do you have a manual for the mower, if so it should tell the correct procedure to do the toe in adjustment.

My wheel horse has adjustable tie rods, but I am going to take a guess your craftsman doesn't. But if it does just adjust the wheels straight with a tape measure. The most likely thing that happen you bent a spindle by hitting something or a tie rod which isn't so likely. You are going to have to take some measurements to figure out what is bent or worn out and go from there.

Is replacing a spindle A big job?

boston said:

Is replacing a spindle A big job?

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No, First jack the front end up. you will need a snap ring pliers. Two snap rings per side. one snap ring to hold the wheel on and the other on top of the axle. A wrench to remove the tie rod end.

Along with bent parts causing that... check the bushings. If they are worn out, the wheels will toe-out... :smile:KennyV

Is there any way I can see a diagram of this and the parts I need for the repair?

boston said:

Is there any way I can see a diagram of this and the parts I need for the repair?

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You will need a tractor model number then a parts search You should be able to find a parts diagram with all the part numbers. Your best way would be to call Sears with your model number and tell them what you need. Did you figure out what was bent or worn? If you give me your tractor model number I could help you a little better because I really don't know what you have? I am just guessing what your problem is or how to replace your spindle from other jobs I have done.

I know its either a 1996 or 1992 craftsman 15 HP kohler. 42 inch deck

Sears/Craftsman has a lot of models. Not a knock on Craftsman, but if you don't have the model and serial number you could encounter problems finding the right parts.

It is going to be your tie rod It will be 19 1/2 inch. Best thing to do is have the mower shop match one up that has adjustable ends. If they tell you they can not do it with out your model # Go find a back yard behind a house shop

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Grass ala Mowed said:

Sears/Craftsman has a lot of models. Not a knock on Craftsman, but if you don't have the model and serial number you could encounter problems finding the right parts.

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Not only that, they are made by different companies. Sears/Craftsman isn't alone on this. I don't care what you are working on you need model numbers. On top of that the chassis and engines have there own set of numbers. I just needed a starter drive for a Arines snow blower and needed three sets of numbers, Chassis, engine, and starter numbers. If you can't find these numbers maybe take your old parts to a mower salvage yard and they will mach something up for you. Also the post from carscw said maybe you can find some adjustable tie rods. That would cure all your problems.

Well how will I know exactly what part around the spindle that needs to be replaced?

boston said:

Well how will I know exactly what part around the spindle that needs to be replaced?

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Frist of all do you know what a spindle is? It is the part that gos through the axle and the front wheel turns on it and it sreers the tractor. It has what they call a tie rod that gos to the spindle what steers the tractor. Some times they make these tie rod on higher end tractors with threads so that are adjustable. With this adjustment you can adjust the toe out (like yours) and toe in. Just stand on the floor and look at you feet you can make your toes go in or out. It depends on differant tractors where they install these tie rods. Some tie rods are on the front of the axle and some tie rods on the rear of the axle. This is why we need model numbers because it makes a differant how you adjust the tie rods. I never have taken any pictures or sent them because I don't know how or I would. Maybe time I learned?

I am thinking just maybe you should bring it to a shop

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If you take the (few) front end pieces apart, you will see if the nylon bushings are trashed... same with bent ears on spindles...
Post a couple pictures of your tractor, include a close up shot of the spindle & tie rod area...there is a good chance someone will recognize it...
:smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

If you take the (few) front end pieces apart, you will see if the nylon bushings are trashed... same with bent ears on spindles...
Post a couple pictures of your tractor, include a close up shot of the spindle & tie rod area...there is a good chance someone will recognize it...
:smile:KennyV

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Yes worn bushings, bent ears on spindles, or what I was thinking and have seen was twisted spindle shaft.

Here are the pics

I don't know the model number of the tractor, but in looking at the pictures I expect the tie rod is bent. By the looks of the tires its been like this for some time. The spindles seem to be ok. In one of the pictures the tie rod seems to be angled forward. You may wish to start there. If that is the case you can straighten it yourself. Good luck.

Like I said it is your tie rod best bet is to get a new one You can bend it straight but every time you make a sharp turn it will bend back Take it off and go match it up with a MTD or a snapper any good shop will crab the the one you need first try.

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I really don't see how you would of bent a tie rod. The reason I say that is they are back of the axle and high. It looks like they would be well protected from hitting something. But for sure check them who knows. Frist thing I would do is jack the front wheels off the ground and rock the wheels back and forth and see if the king pin bushings are worn? If not worn take some measurements from the end of the spindle ears to the wheels.

By looking at the pics this mower has been abused it looks like the right front deck adjuster came off the deck side while mower was going in reverse and bent the brace. I have many craftsman tractors and the weak part of the steering is the tie rod that is made with a little bend in it. And as everyone knows never turn the steering wheel when sitting still. If your going to replace your bushings you can get brass ones

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Carscw said:

By looking at the pics this mower has been abused it looks like the right front deck adjuster came off the deck side while mower was going in reverse and bent the brace. I have many craftsman tractors and the weak part of the steering is the tie rod that is made with a little bend in it. And as everyone knows never turn the steering wheel when sitting still. If your going to replace your bushings you can get brass ones

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If this is the case I sure would check the tie rods. The picture only shows the ends. Like I said in the very beginning take measurements and think what could cause this. I don't care that is said on this forum and everyone has a good but different ideas. You are the one that has to find the problem or take it to someone you can repair it or maybe you know someone who can help you? To bring the front wheels back straight you will need to make a longer tie rod. I don't know what you have for tools but if it was me and I couldn't find the problem I would cut one of the tie rods make it longer and re-weld it as a last resort.

I agree with Renoldston you will be the one that ultimately has to deal witht the repairs. I don't think that king pin bushings would affect toe in and out, mostly camber and caster. I also agree that the problem happen while backing. I certainly wiould look at the tie rod and see if it has a bend. Its only my opinion, but I have never seen a Craftsman with a bend in the tie rod. I have made a number of tie rods with out a problem. If it is bent I believe that you can straighten it and as long as you don't use heat it should hold up.

Which part is the deck adjuster? Now that you mention it, when I drive with the wheels turned left, the left front wheel scrapes against the deck stopping the tractor. It seems like something is missing holding the deck.

I am going to be nice Take your mower to a shop

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I looked at the diagram, I'm going to replace the part

I do hope you realize that replacing the deck rod will do nothing for the steering. Don't get me wrong the rod needs to be addressed, but you still need to identify and repair the steering. Like Carscw suggested it might be a good idea to have it looked at by professional.

I completely agree with that but it costs $100 just for them to look at it

Just what do you have for skills, tools, and equipment to work on this mower. If it is a screw driver and a pair of pliers it may be time for a shop to look at it. Also when you go to buy any parts you will find they won't be cheap. I find it doesn't take very long to run the bill up to 300 dollars or more fast. There is just so much you are going to get off a forum. Maybe you could find another mower like it just to look at? Is there any mower salvage yards around where you live because they can help you out and parts run about haft price from new. Also maybe you could find another good used mower to replace the one you have? If nothing else keep running the one you have till it quits?

Ok let's start off easy the tie rod runs from wheel to wheel on the back side of the front tires On each end it will drop into a hole on the underside of the hole will be a clip or cotter pin type thing pull them out then remove rod. Next step take a tape or a yard stick set front tires so they are the same distance apart on the front side and back side so they both aim straight forward now measure the distance from the two holes you took the rod out of should be close to 19 1/2
Now take the bend out of the rod until you get what you need. And YES in the middle of the rod it comes with a little bend I will post a pic for you tomorrow Let me know when you get this done and we will make a home made rod for the deck

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I definitely have the right tools for this. I am about about to order the front link and bolt for the deck because I found the parts. As far as the tie rods, they don't seem bent at all. I'm starting to think its the slindle although I don't even know which wheel it is yet.

Yes I have seen a spindle twist.

I would say check the tie rod just for fun. Both tires are wore out on the out side Tells me it has been plowing and can see they both bow out Now I could be wrong maybe someone else would know more but I am thinking if was a spindle or bushings the weight of the mower would push the tires out at the bottom and in at the top as the wear would be in the inside of the tire And I am thinking you can turn real sharp to the left and not to good to the right I do not work on mowers for a living but all I run is craftsman and I am very hard on them but they are easy and cheap to fix

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OK Im going to jack the tractor up ASAP and look under. For the front deck link, there seems to be a different kind of attachment on each side by the wheels. Look at the pics and compare both sides of the wheels. One wheel has the link connected and the other does not but they don't look identical, but I see a nut or hole in which I can connect the link on that side. Is that normal?

Ok I am lost now you started talking about the deck then ended with the wheels On the front deck adjusters both will look the same there is no left on or right one they are both the same So the one that is not there will go on the same as the one that is still there they are held on with clips

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When you get the adjuster on face your blades front to back and use a tape and adjust it so the front of the blades are a 1/2 inch higher than the back I run them a inch higher but most run them just a 1/2 inch And do this with the deck down

What part of Boston you from I grew up on the cape

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Carscw said:

Ok I am lost now you started talking about the deck then ended with the wheels On the front deck adjusters both will look the same there is no left on or right one they are both the same So the one that is not there will go on the same as the one that is still there they are held on with clips

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This, and all of the other posts in this thread sent from a mobile device no less :mur:. You sir, are a patient man, and you have my admiration :thumbsup:.

Carscw said:

''''the front of the blades are a 1/2 inch higher than the back I run them a inch higher but most run them just a 1/2 inch

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Not to take this away from a toe in thread...... BUT every deck I have seen is set with the front Lower than the back... I have known a few that ran them opposite.. but once they lowered the front below the rear, they Never went back to the other... You will get a much better, easier cut.

Back to toe-in... :smile::smile:KennyV

Kenny is right I was backwards and upside down

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I thought the deck front link was the same as the deck adjuster. What is the deck adjuster?

Ok I finally figured it out. The tie rod had a big bend in it so I ordered a new one. It's very easy to replace. The link on the other hand, the connection on the deck for it is completely broken off so I'm going to bolt an L bracket onto the deck.

You see things aren't so bad when you start looking things over. Congratulations on finding the problims:thumbsup:

Thanks. And thanks everyone for all your help