Help on 125 front end swap
 

I swapped the freshly rebuilt front end off my 125 to my dads 104 I redid for him. I swapped it for a not so fresh front end off a 1811, ( I think). I got a couple different front ends off a couple different tractors from a cub friend. It works ok, the problem is when I turn all the way to the left or right it’s hard to bring back to center, almost like it turns too far. I’ve learned to adapt, but my wife, not so much. To the point where she refuses to mow grass with it. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s getting hotter and I don’t want her to miss out on mowing.....:)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I took some quick pictures if that helps.

Ok, well, that is not an axle from an 1811. It's from a cyclops tractor. Could have been from one of several models.....
Either way, that would have taken some modification to get in there. Different size pivot pin. More than likely the steering geometry is different now, and that could be the issue.
Did you jack it up and see if it's tight? If it isn't, then either the steering geometry is off, or the toe is off. You put an axle in a tractor that it didn't go in.... so you modified it. Might be on your own on what it needs. All looks ok in the pics, but that doesn't mean that the drag link isn't binding.

I guess I don't understand why you didn't rebuild the front axle from the 104 and put it in.

I am thinking if the steering arm on top of the spindle is shorter than on the original 125 axle, the steering gear is going to push and pull that arm thru a longer arc.
Causing the tires to swing too far in both directions.

And maybe it will help if you add some fresh grease to the pins and the steering box.

It should be able to hit the swing stops on the axle though....

I was thinking along the same lines, but I was thinking because the Cyclops uses a 3 turn box, and the 125 uses a 2.5 turn box, it just doesn't have enough leverage, or maybe even swing to get it to turn all the way, thus binding it.

Apologies for not replying last night . Had some non cub things come up.
To start, the original front end was totally gone through, and my dads 104 was shot. Bad. I had read on here where people had swapped out nf front ends for wf front ends. I liked the look and thought the wf would be " tougher ". So being the good son I am , I gave the 125 front end to my dad.
As far as modifications on installing the wf. There wasn't any. I used the same center pin, and it went right in. I only had to drill a bigger hole at the steering box, and lose the springs that hold the mule drive bracket. The problem I'm having is while moving, turning all the way to left or right, it's like it binds and is hard to bring back. Almost like it turns to far. I'm really trying to be descriptive as possible. Not one of my strong suits.
I'm thinking now that j-mech is on to something with the 2.5 turn box not having enough leverage.
If it's something I have to live with I will. Or put a nf back in it.
Thank again for any ideas.

Couple of pics when I was mocking it up.
May help.
I ended up using different wheels and tires.

And now I feel dumb. Looking on parts tree, think the front end is 1860. (Triangle steering arm. )

I used the drag link that came with it. It's got a bend in it. I have it hooked up the wrong way. I think I tried both ways , but the bend to the front seemed correct. That might be it. Or just put a straight drag link on it. I'll flip it around tonight. :bash2:

If it makes you feel any better, I like the way it looks and agree that it looks "tough". Is the steering adjusted evenly? Does it turn more one way than the other? That is probably irrelevant anyway. My first thought was exactly in line with J-Mech in that the box is different. I don't think you have the leverage there to bring it back to center.

Just looking at the first pictures, it looks like the tires are turning too much left and right. But even if not..............

Combined with shorter steering arms and also the 2.5 gear ratio, it will be harder to turn, especially from full left and full right.