Steering/Front Axle problem

[bkw3614]

No doubt, this issue has been discussed before.

I have a Cub Cadet 1250 and have rebuilt the steering column, but I still have nearly a quarter of steering wheel play, and the front axle is loose in its carrier. When the steering wheel is turned, the axle moves before the front wheels do.

It has been said that the correct fix is to remove the axle and get a 3/4" bolt and nut and squeeze the axle mount to fit the axle width, and then replace the carrier pin. I have a new carrier pin and it seems as if it is a better design than the one that I removed from the axle/carrier.

It seems to me that the method of compressing the axle carrier with a bolt would change the geometry of the carrier, throw things out of alignment and could stress or break welds. Thus, I have two questions. First, would shimming the axle in the carrier be a better fix? Second, does this method of compressing the axle carrier really work? I have measured over and over again and cannot see that things are that far out of whack. I am really confused and really don't know what to do about this most current nightmare with this tractor.

A new one is looking better all the time.

[TheIHMan]

I have the same problem with my 107 but luckily I have a parts tractor (or tractors) to steal parts off of

[jim102]

i noticed on my original that the axle bolt has a shoulder so it will only tighten so far so i dont see how sqeezing brackets will fix, they will eventually spread again. i put a washer on bolt and alls tight.

[bocephus1991]

Where is the wear at is the question. Is the pivot pin wore? If thats the case I would replace it,I don't like the idea of squeezing the axle mount together. Is the axle it's self worn? If thats the case I would rather put a bushing in than try than squeeze the mount together.Or is the axle mounts worn? That you could probably weld up the slop and grind it round taking out the egg shape. When you rebuilt the steering did you replace or true up the cam follower? On my 1200 the head broke off I made my own from a grade 8 bolt.Hope this helps out some!..Brian

[jim102]

just a small amount of wear at pivot will cause alot of play at wheel.

[RChristensen]

There is no problem with squeezing the axle mount together, in fact if you don't your wasting your time replacing the carrier pin. You will need to squeeze it enough so the axle is a tight fit when you slide it on.

If the hole in the axle mount is worn then all bets are off.

If you are running your cub in rough terrain the constant pounding will eventually spread the axle mount again.

Probably the best bet is to replace the pin with a bolt and then you can keep the axle mount secure. A lot of people have done this and I have done it to some of my cubs and it works well. That is the way some John Deere lawn tractors are built.

To use a bolt you have to modify the bolt somewhat, if you are interested I can give you the particulars on how to do it. I will have to check my pictures for the dimensions

[bllwnkl]

Here's a picture of the bolt I used. It worked. I didn't look, but wondered if you could leave it in instead of the pin to tighten when needed.