steering play on t1770

[andyt11]

So my newly aquired T1770 seems to be great but I notice now that there is quite a bit of play in the steering. When I looked into it, I notice very little play in the tie rod ends or anywhere else for that matter. The problem seems to be that the whole front axle is rotating from left to right, pivoting around a (worn) pivot in the middle of the axle. I assume this pivot's purpose is to allow the axle to follow the ground when its not level, and a certain amount of wear must be expected since there are two bolts (one at each end) to prevent the axle rotating left to right. See the picture, I hope I'm doing a reasonable job of explaining.

I take it I can just adjust these bolts so they are closer to the axle? The problem is when the steering is operated, the rod that moves forward and backwards along the side of the tractor just pulls the slack in the axle instead of rotating the hubs.

Just adjust the bolts and apply a little grease?

 

[CHDinCT]

Your front axle should be able to pivot around a horizontal axis - in other words the front tires are designed to ride up and down due to changes in the terrain. The front axle itself is not designed to turn right/left. Only the hubs should turn right/left by way of the steering linkage, tie rods, etc. The bolt you pictured looks like a steering stop and is designed to keep the wheels from turning too far in each direction so as to avoid, for example, the tires hitting your mowing deck. The pic is confusing however as the stop looks to be fixed to the frame but somehow contacts the solid front axle based on the rust spot on the axle. It normally moves with the steering linkage as said (maybe it does and I just can't make that out from the pic.) unless your T1770 is unique in this regard, but I wouldn't think so.

Steering play can accumulate in all of the steering linkages for a machine with a lot of hours on it. Could be anywhere from the steering wheel to the pins that attach the hub to the axle. Not sure any of this helps you, however.

 

[andyt11]

I think the bolt you see on the pic is something a previous owner has butchered. On the parts diagrams, I see the center pivot has a bushing. If worn, this bush would allow the axle to wander left and right as well as rotating about a horizontal axis as intended. I'm thinking the bolt has been added as a crud way to kurb this play. I'll strip it down and see if I'm right. I bet a new bush would solve the problem once and for all.

 

[CHDinCT]

Sounds like a good plan. Maybe the prior owner had a habit of hitting things with the solid front axle?

 

[andyt11]

So when I got it all apart, the carraige bolt that goes through the axle in the middle was well worn, as were the holes that the bolt goes through. This was allowing a lot of play in all directions and it looks like the little bolts in the picture were someones way of stopping it.

To fix it I bought a longer grade 8 bolt, 7/16" diameter like the original and I made up two 3/8" thick plates too, each with a 7/16" hole in them. I welded them over the old bolt location and then reassembled with the new bolt and some grease. It's much more precise now and there is no noticeable play from left to right.

Since then I got into the mower deck and replaced a couple of bearings and freed up the idler wheel. I think this machine was a little neglected by the previous owner but its all good now. I took the opportunity to sharpen the blades too.

Now to mount a snowblower - not much use for a mower in the next six months thats for sure.