Sears Craftsman DYS4500 Tie Rod Ends

[Georgia Terrapin]

I don't know the name if it, but the part that includes the wheel spindle is bent out of shape and the tie rod ends are shot. I've done a back-yard mechanic repair with a hammer and anvil, and it's pretty good, but I can't find replacement parts to make it just right. Any suggestions?

Model Sears Craftsman DYS 4500
Model #: 917.287261
Serial #: 091907A019905

Thank you kindly,
Greg

 

[RandyT]

Official Craftsman 917287261 front-engine lawn tractor parts | Sears PartsDirect

Craftsman 917287261 front-engine lawn tractor parts - manufacturer-approved parts for a proper fit every time! We also have installation guides, diagrams and manuals to help you along the way!

www.searspartsdirect.com

Items 61 and 62 are the drag links which include the tie rod ends part number 597047802 and 597047902. Items 4 and 5 are the steering spindles. Right steering spindle is 539691201 and the left is 596873601. Keep in mind that those are Husqvarna, Poulan part numbers

 

[Georgia Terrapin]

RandyT, Thank you! I think my error was including the decimal in the part number ("917.287261"). All the parts are now on order, and I appreciate your help.

Greg

 

[Georgia Terrapin]

Follow-up question for anyone with a second opinion --

SearsPartsDirect said the left-hand steering spindle was no longer available. I ordered one from ereplacementparts.com, and it arrived today. Same part #, same photo in the ad, but the actual part is missing the steering stops. I sent a customer service note. In the meantime, if the Sears part for the opposite side is OEM with the steering stops, might that be sufficient, since the two are interlocked by the steering gear and tie rod ends? The incorrect left-hand spindle looks like it's otherwise an exact replacement.

Of course, if both parts are wrong I might have to visit a welder.

Thanks!

 

[ning]

I've got that mower too. It was really toed-out after idk 15+? years of use, rapidly balding tires and making it really tough to make turns... I used a big wrench and bent things back to working but I've been curious about a proper fix which'll be necessary if things re-bend.

 

[dieselscout80]

I've got that mower too. It was really toed-out after idk 15+? years of use, rapidly balding tires and making it really tough to make turns... I used a big wrench and bent things back to working but I've been curious about a proper fix which'll be necessary if things re-bend.

Can you provide a picture of what/how you bent it back to fix the issue?

 

[LittleBill21]

Ironically I'm about to junk this machine due a worn out deck and slipping tranny. I wonder if its worth parting it out. I doubt it.

 

[ning]

Can you provide a picture of what/how you bent it back to fix the issue?

No pics, but I can describe.
I pulled the front wheels off
Disconnected the drag links
Stuck a pipe over the axle, and a wrench over another part of the spindle... and pulled the pipe vs wrench. Hard.
I may have used my 36" pipe wrench, I forget. Distorted the piece that the drag link goes into but it's fine.
Did both sides, stuck wheels back on, looked at it... did a bit more... possibly went too far? but instead of my front wheels literally looking
literally \like this/
now they're very close to |like this| and it turns really easily.

Ironically I'm about to junk this machine due a worn out deck and slipping tranny. I wonder if its worth parting it out. I doubt it.

Mine started slipping and I got a transaxle servicing kit (seals & fluid).

Problem was likely that this cap was cracked and had admitted water.

When I first opened it up (not pictured) there was basically mayonnaise inside.
Cleaned it all up; everthing was in great condition inside.

and put it back together.
I used something approximately like https://www.amazon.com/1a646099141-Transmission-Replaces-1A646099140-product_by/dp/B01M97WH3T/
I'm the kind of home mechanic you can describe as "doesn't know anything but is handy" - this wasn't a tough job.

My deck is in good shape; replaced flywheel & starter 5 years ago, engine still good, and given the price of these things $100 to make it keep moving another year in my book is a good deal.

 

[LittleBill21]

No pics, but I can describe.
I pulled the front wheels off
Disconnected the drag links
Stuck a pipe over the axle, and a wrench over another part of the spindle... and pulled the pipe vs wrench. Hard.
I may have used my 36" pipe wrench, I forget. Distorted the piece that the drag link goes into but it's fine.
Did both sides, stuck wheels back on, looked at it... did a bit more... possibly went too far? but instead of my front wheels literally looking
literally \like this/
now they're very close to |like this| and it turns really easily.


Mine started slipping and I got a transaxle servicing kit (seals & fluid).
View attachment 1611762View attachment 1611763
Problem was likely that this cap was cracked and had admitted water.
View attachment 1611764

When I first opened it up (not pictured) there was basically mayonnaise inside.
Cleaned it all up; everthing was in great condition inside.
View attachment 1611765View attachment 1611766
and put it back together.
I used something approximately like https://www.amazon.com/1a646099141-Transmission-Replaces-1A646099140-product_by/dp/B01M97WH3T/
I'm the kind of home mechanic you can describe as "doesn't know anything but is handy" - this wasn't a tough job.

My deck is in good shape; replaced flywheel & starter 5 years ago, engine still good, and given the price of these things $100 to make it keep moving another year in my book is a good deal.

I really appreciate the info but, the entire deck is done, rear tires go flat, battery dead and this transaxle issue. I will pull the motor for my Gt3000, but we switched to robot mowers this year, and my mother who owned this machine will never go back to cutting the grass.

 

[Georgia Terrapin]

I'm guessing some old guy will want it for $25 or $50 bucks for the whole thing as is (maybe much more), but I doubt parting it will be worth your time.

I had to hire a lawn guy this year due to extra job requirements, but I still want the tractor for pulling a lawn trailer and mowing the rough part adjacent to a local park. I'm taking some pride in keeping mine operational for a while with my own backyard mechanic fixes. But parts are hard to find.

I guess my only point is that the parts are hard to find, which might make the tractor harder to sell than to keep. I don't really know.