Craftsman skipping/slipping steering fix

Got a pm about the steering being bad on a craftsman, and slipping. If the gears are not wore out, it us usually a easy fix.

If you look at the steering box, one side has a arm that goes down, the other has a clip and washer on it. Removing the clip and adding washers behind it will pull the big gear closer to the small one, and fix the slipping/skipping problem. Looking inside, next to the big gear, there is another clip and washer, make sure they are still there and the clip is in a groove in the shaft.

Pic of gearbox in tractor, where you add washers is on the left of the picture.



This is a pic of a modified box. I used a split locking collar in the inside, so I could adjust the play in the steering there.

is that how you fix all the steering problems i have a all wheel steer craftsman and i was turning the steering wheel and it made a pop and now the steering wheel just free spins i would like to make it stronger but i dont have a welder to doing any mods you got any ideas let me know thank you

I'm sure there are lots of places between the steering wheel and tires where something could "pop". Could you post some pics of the steering assembly and detail what moves and what doesn't when you turn the wheel?

Yes I can, but i haven't tore it down yet. I believe my problem is the gears in the steering. They are not stripped they just aren't lined up. I would like to make the steering stronger but I have no clue how to. I'm new at this all I have done is put new tires on it and change the pulleys out. Any helpful ideas are welcome.

Might have broken a pin that holds the gear on the shaft.

i fig it out the steering arm snap in half right were it connected to the rim

quick question i read about your builds you have done and you said you have a 6inc pulley on the front and back ? top speed is 45 i thought it was smaller in the back and bigger in the front did you do up grades to your tranny?

Yes. The output drive gears (inside the trannys) have been replaced with custom gears so we don't have to overspeed the input shaft so much.

I have a 99 weedeater with the same issue - mine used a piece of plastic inside the box area, i ended up putting a set of copper bushings in this plastic T to tighten everything up - i suppose if that ever fails, ill use the steering from my parts LT12.

Update: I swapped the steering setup out of my parts LT12 - direct bolt in with a couple minor mods - hardest part was pulling the motor again...

My weedeater does the same thing now matter how I fix it so I'm just going to ditch it and go with direct steer

I have a Husqvarna that did the same thing. Replaced the plastic bushings and it only lasted about a year and now it slips worse than ever. Thanks to the methods in this thread I will be able to fix the steering permanently now.

Also have a Craftsman with this type of steering that is starting to slip as well.

Thanks Guys.

A friend's craftsman did the same thing before it was sold. If the resistance got too great when turning the wheel it would make a loud pop and the gears would jump. Good to know.

My steering is similar to yours and also slipping teeth are good but it all flexes too much so will have to do a bit of welding I think.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f84/19/42/17/95/img_1810.jpg