Update,if anyone cares.
The balls in the steering box, the recirculating balls, all came out which caused the loss of steering. The box was full of water and the lower bearing was frozen.
I ordered 5.5mm balls, bearing and shaft seal from McMasterCarr.
I cut off the threaded portion of the shaft that holds on the steering wheel and tig welded a 1/2-13 threaded portion of a bolt to hold the wheel.
All good now I mowed a 1/2 acre yesterday.
So far, so good.
Now to address the blowing batteries up problem.
The balls in the steering box, the recirculating balls, all came out which caused the loss of steering. The box was full of water and the lower bearing was frozen.
I ordered 5.5mm balls, bearing and shaft seal from McMasterCarr.
I cut off the threaded portion of the shaft that holds on the steering wheel and tig welded a 1/2-13 threaded portion of a bolt to hold the wheel.
All good now I mowed a 1/2 acre yesterday.
So far, so good.
Now to address the blowing batteries up problem.
