2542 Hard Steering

[timkins]

I recently washed the entire underside and motor for my 2542. Shortly after I experienced very hard steering and have narrowed it down to the steering gear. I did not realize there was a grease fitting on the gear as there has always been a plate that hid the zerk fitting. My question is, how difficult is it to remove the split retainer that holds the gear into the housing. If I can get the gear to drop after removing the split retainer I can use some fine sand paper to clean up the steering shaft and force some grease thru the fitting and properly lubricate the steering shaft.

 

[savageactor7]

It's looks pretty simple but I've never done it, sorry.

Also I pretty sure you have 2 zerks down there at the gear, top and bottom. Sometime all it takes is an additional few pounds of air in the front tires to ease steering as well.

 

[rcbe]

I recently washed the entire underside and motor for my 2542. Shortly after I experienced ......

And there is well the root cause of your current and near future series of problems with that machine. Lawn and Garden Powered Equipment in general do not get along well with garden hoses or power washers!!! Engines are not sealed against water intrusion, same way with hydro trannies, electrical systems will quickly corrode. Enuff to produce a nightmare of functional problems both hard to find/solve and sometimes $$$$ to fix. Best to use compressed air to blow trash/dust off; use rag and pail with water sparingly to clean body or prep for waxing - but NO direct hosing with pressured water. If you don't have an air compressor, invest in a good leaf blower - it'll do the job just fine.

 

[timkins]

Thanks for the reply savageactor7, I did find the other zerk fitting and I was able to get grease thru that one and lubricate the lower shaft. Its the upper one that I am having trouble with. I have been soaking it with penetrating oil for over a week now and the steering has become normal (?) again but I am still unable to get grease thru it.
I am glad I was able to post and be used as an example of what not to do when trying to clean the tractor. Unfortunately I am unable to spend a lot of time nitpicking and pointing out others transgressions as I have work to do.