Problem with 1650 steering...
 

I spent yesterday morning mowing my 91 year old neighbors grass. The steering on the tractor seemed to turn fine (or at least "OK"...) until just before I was finished. I then noticed it would turn OK to the left, however, I had to "muscle" it to turn it to the right. Fortunately, that happened just as I was parking it so I don't think I contributed to any further damage. Before I get into troubleshooting the problem, I thought I would throw it out to the forum and get any opinions as to what I might/should be looking for and what I might anticipate for problems. :bigthink: It has a 50" mower attachment and I assume that has to come off before I do anything further...???

Thanks in advance for any constructive input...!

If I were to guess something in the steering box went south, Im guessing the bearing. Unhook the rod from the steering box to the front end, jack up the front end slightly and you should be able to pivot the wheels by hand as well as turn the steering wheel to see where the problem is.

And while you have it in the air, grease the spindles, axle and worm gear box.
Probably have a worn follower cam. Loosen the jam nut and give it a 1/2 turn to put a new face against the worm. This should take most of the slop out of the box. Also, your tie rod ends may be worn, there are 4 of them, 2 on the drag link and 2 on the tie rod. A little slop in each of the plus a loose cam could add up to a 1/4 turn or more at the wheel w/no movement of the wheels.

This stuff is all in the manuals available for download on this site.
Good luck!

You guys are incredible...!!! Thanks for the prompt replies. I'm an ol' guy (fighting sciatica...) and don't want to make this any more difficult than necessary. I truly appreciate your input and valuable suggestions...! :Thanks:

I'm pretty sure finsruskw meant to say give it a 1/4 turn to give it a new face to ride on.

Look just beneath the steering wheel as you turn it, if it looks like the steering wheel is rising when you turn to the left, then the bearings in the gear housing are bad (or there are worse problems).

AND yes, follow what john hall has told you, to find out what component has the problem.

Thank you...!!! :IH Trusted Hand:

...and if you need to replace any or all of them the grease-able ones from Mc master Carr work real well;

Tie rod ends #4444T931

http://www.mcmaster.com/#