tractor front wheels pointed out

[Carscw]

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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[reynoldston]

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.

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.

 

[boston]

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

 

[reynoldston]

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

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?

 

[Carscw]

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

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[KennyV]

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

 

[reynoldston]

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

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

 

[boston]

Here are the pics

 

[fastback]

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.

 

[Carscw]

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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