Wobbly Steering Wheel Shaft: Cub Cadet 149
 

Hi all!

I have the opportunity to buy a one owner 149. After going look at it and test driving it, the only issue I noticed was the steering wheel shaft had a lot of play in it, it's wobbly is the best I can explain. It still steered fine and didn't cause and driveability issues but I'm curious how involved the fix is.

My dad said he remembers some person years ago telling him if his 147 steering shaft got wobbly, to run a screw/bolt through it. Not sure this is the best fix. I don't know much about these mowers, but it almost seems like a bushing is worn.

Any insight would be great. Thanks!!

My assumption is it is this bearing...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2QFgfa28tzc62Mj88

The 2 3/8" bolts that hole the tub and steering box to the X member may be loose.

The tube itself may be loose in the box casting, after all, it's only a tight slip fit.
A short sheet metal screw there would be a temporary fix I suppose.

There should be a plastic bushing (part #2) inside the top of the tube that the actual shaft goes through that is worn badly. Replace that with a regular front wheel bearing.

Could be any one of these issues or a combination of all of them.

At the top of the steel steering tube that comes up through the dash, there is a plastic bushing (see pic).
It is only press fitted into the steel tube.
It can work it's way loose and slide up under the steering wheel hub.
If that is your case just slide it back down into the tube.
If it continues to come out apply some JB Weld or epoxy.

Wobbly Steering Wheel Shaft: Cub Cadet 149 Reload this Page Reply to Thread
 

I seem to remember replacing the plastic bushing at the top of the tube with a flange type, ball bearing on a restoration done on my 1864 a few years ago. Cheap, easy, long lasting fix! :biggrin2:

Thanks everyone!

I'm picking it up on Thursday. I'll be sure and show some pics and a video.

Just from looking at the machine once, it feels like the bushing under the steering wheel is the culprit. It's either shifted up or degraded. I've heard the steering wheels are a real bear to remove....I know this 149 is the original owner, religiously serviced, garage kept its entire life and only did mowing on a small piece of land.

Can't wait to see some pics . Sounds like a beautiful cub!

Here's a teaser. This is the picture from the Facebook Marketplace ad, where I found the machine.

And here's one of her from behind :)

I'm curious what model mower deck that is,
Also, if you have to pull the steering wheel make yourself one of these....

The deck and the exhaust looks to have been fabricated. Very nice machine though.

I'll have to ask the seller tomorrow when I go pick it up. The deck I know does have newer wheels on the front. What else about the deck makes it not look like the original one?

Not saying the deck is not correct but it does appear to have some modifications.
That's not necessarily a bad thing if done well.
The original decks would have look something like these.

Ah yes. That's what my dad's '67 147's deck looks like.

The 149 has arrived!!! I was able up tell right away the wobbly steering shaft is due to the bushing sliding up under the actual steering wheel. I'm hoping to finegal it down without removing the wheel.

But without further adieu, here's a day 1 go over of the 149!!!

https://youtu.be/1L8moHVBntU?feature=shared

Very nice machine. IMO 149's are a great machine.
You should familiarize yourself with the Tech Library on this site.
The Chassis Service Manual is there and will answer a lot of your video's questions.
Enjoy the ride. :IH Trusted Hand:

Thanks for the link to the video . That looks like a great tractor.

You did really well!

Thanks!!

I found the service manual online PDF format. Lots of good info! And I figured out how to adjust that lever to set the mowing deck cut level. I like a really short cut so I have it at the lowest setting.

I cut a couple strips and man does she cut nicely!! A lot different than my 2020 GX 54d but it's like comparing apples to oranges!!

Here's a look inside the belly of the beast...

And maybe someone can help me with a trick on how to get the steering column bushing back in the steering shaft. I can get it slightly inside but it won't slide down in. I tried removing the steering wheel but that's an effort in futile without a bearing puller or something. I really feel like I can get this thing back in place without removing the wheel.

I did however find her first real issue. Nothing terrible, but the carburetor is leaking at the bowl gasket. Is this as simple as buying the bowl gasket kit or is the float causing the issue?

The good news is if I shut off the fuel and the the carb dry, she doesn't leak. So I do have a work around.

My experienced has been that if you try t0o replace the bowl gasket while the carb is on the engine, you almost have to be Houdini to get everything back together.
It's may be just me, but buy a carb kit, take the carb off and do it right and do it easy.

A gentleman on another forum suggested doing it with the carb on the tractor, but using a dab of grease to hold the gaskets in place.

It looks like it's two gaskets in the bowl. The thin o ring and the other weird gasket that kind of hangs outside the bowl... See attached pic.