Hi guys, hoping that you can help with my Simplicity Prestige 23hp. It has HORRIBLE steering issues! To keep it straight I need to be constantly adjusting the wheel which makes it look like I've had a few too many while cutting the lawn. In fact, I have tried having a few too many to see if the lines would be straighter, it didn't work. Anyways, the steering is so bad I needed to dig into it and see what I could do. SO....I've gotten places, but I am stuck in places and I would appreciate any help you could give.
Initial Problems:
1. Parking brake would not engage. Found plate where brake rod connects was cracked
2. Torque generator leaking
3. Steering all over the place, would randomly turn left/right, not holding straight
First what I have done:
1. Remove seat pan, fender pan, tower, pedals
2. Remove linkages to foot pedal plate and remove plate
3. Have parking brake connection welded
4. Remove all steering components from wheel down to steering linkage
5. Remove front axle and wheels
What I've found:
1. Looks like someone has been into steering before. Found two nylon bushings sitting on frame. Looks like wear plates on axle has been welded to beef up?
2. One of the couplers on the steering column is elongated more by wear
3. The steering shaft is worn down by at least 1/8 of an inch
4. Flanged bearing appears to be worn out
5. The brake rod was seriously worn out where it connects in back of machine...probably more of the problem than the front connection
My questions:
1. Is the flanged bearing supposed to spin? The new one I have will barely move (see video)
2. How to I get the steering/tire arm off the left side? (see video)
3. Is there normally play in the the shaft where the tire arm connects to the axle? (I've got new bushings on the way, but the old ones seem okay)
4. Is the coupler that connects on the top and the bottom of the torque generator supposed to be loose?
5. What am I missing?
Again, thank you for any and all advice, it is greatly appreciated!!!
Steering arm left/right and how do I get off?
Flanged Bearing question
Pics
Initial Problems:
1. Parking brake would not engage. Found plate where brake rod connects was cracked
2. Torque generator leaking
3. Steering all over the place, would randomly turn left/right, not holding straight
First what I have done:
1. Remove seat pan, fender pan, tower, pedals
2. Remove linkages to foot pedal plate and remove plate
3. Have parking brake connection welded
4. Remove all steering components from wheel down to steering linkage
5. Remove front axle and wheels
What I've found:
1. Looks like someone has been into steering before. Found two nylon bushings sitting on frame. Looks like wear plates on axle has been welded to beef up?
2. One of the couplers on the steering column is elongated more by wear
3. The steering shaft is worn down by at least 1/8 of an inch
4. Flanged bearing appears to be worn out
5. The brake rod was seriously worn out where it connects in back of machine...probably more of the problem than the front connection
My questions:
1. Is the flanged bearing supposed to spin? The new one I have will barely move (see video)
2. How to I get the steering/tire arm off the left side? (see video)
3. Is there normally play in the the shaft where the tire arm connects to the axle? (I've got new bushings on the way, but the old ones seem okay)
4. Is the coupler that connects on the top and the bottom of the torque generator supposed to be loose?
5. What am I missing?
Again, thank you for any and all advice, it is greatly appreciated!!!
Steering arm left/right and how do I get off?
Flanged Bearing question
Pics