Steering question 2182
 

So I replaced all the tie rod ends, steering cylinder and the ball joints on the steering cylinders. My steering was off before so I figured I'd be able to tune it in. When you turn your cub to the extreme left or right, what hits first? I think I've got everything centered nice but noticed at the end of the either turn, the tie rod end hits the frame before anything else. Is that normal?

I can't think of any other way to fix it. Adjusting the tie rods will result in mis-alignment. Adjusting the steering cylinder will stop it from hitting on one direction, but not the other.

Did you check the service manual? :bigthink:

Ugh....tried searching for tie rod end.....all three words are too short.... I hate that!! :BangPC:

I'm talking about the service manual that I e-mailed to you. :bash2:

lol, yes Sam, I actually did look at the manual this time! But after looking at the manual again (since I didn't want to look stupid because I missed something, then you could say "I told you so") I realized that there was something different. The ball joints that connect to the steering knuckle aren't the factory ones. They are the greaseable ones from McMaster, and they stick out farther than the factory ones. So I'm guessing that's why they don't hit the stops. So in a way....you did fix it Sam!

I also removed the front wheels because the bearings were loose. It's much easier to check the alignment using just the bare axles without the tires, especially when your bearings are worn and the tires wobble!

Page 5-41 in the manual tells you the factory settings to center the steering. Since you have non factory hiem joints you need to work it out on your own.

Yeah, I read that before...it doesn't help much. Tells you "secure the tie rods to the left and right knuckle" and "secure tie rods to the steering lever". There's a bit more to it than that. They don't mention a best way to get it centered, and fail to mention that the steering lever in the middle also has some movement and needs to be centered before you start trying to measure anything. I was actually kinda surprised they didn't give any more instruction on how best to align the wheels.

Something looks wrong with the way you have the ends connected. I don't see a bolt to hold them on the steering arm and the grease fitting is facing towards the axle. How about a pic from the back. :bigthink:

See if you can tell from this. The ends on the steering knuckle can only go on one way, which is why the grease zerk is backwards on one side and not the other.

Here. I tried zooming in closer for this one.

What did you buy? What is the part #?

Your tie rod ends are mounted upside down I believe. I think the tie rod ends mount underneath the spindle not on top. Let me check mine.

Yes. See pic.

No, they aren't upside down. I remember taking the old ones off. Here is what I bought. I can't remember who recommended them. Maybe dirty steve?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#4444T951

OK, I see what you bought. As long as the grease fitting is not going to hit anything I guess it will work. I would have bought this style.

lol, you sure yours aren't upside down?

I agree Sam. In hindsight I would have also bought those and put a bolt through it. That would have let me keep the grease zerk on the correct side and add the seals to it to help keep out the dirt. But I may look at turning them upside down now. It might fix the problem.

Then maybe mine are on upside down, lol. I have no issues with steering though. Hmmmmmm....

Maybe you'll start a new trend Jibber. Is the other end on upside down too? I accidentally grabbed the wrong diagram, here is the correct one.

Yes, both ends are underneath. If mine were mounted like yours it looks like they might hit the axle as well. I wonder if the diagram is wrong. Maybe others will chime in regarding this.

Here are picks ofy 2182. MY steering IS PERFECT!!!
NOT as but almost as some of the 4 wheel steering ones i have used , love.my 2182.
Just a note, I assumed mine were right , but we all know about PO's. Always worked perfectly so i never checked to see if they were correct lol.

Now that i look at the manual, mine is wrong, but it works.so well:biggrin2:

Yep yours are upside down. :biggrin2:

BUT it works great:bigthink:
Think i will just leave mine till I tear her down next winter.

Just keep an eye on them that they don't hit the lift frame for the deck.

Yea right, youll be saying that 20 years from now :biggrin2:

No , but they did the city had 19" tires on the front looked nice but with the steering adjusted correctly they hit.

Sorry taylorjm for hijacking your thread:BlahBlah:.....

could start on the 2182 this winter and wait on the 1864 till next year.:biggrin2:

Im allll for it. Let my bank account catch up :CanadianFlag:

Take Off!!

Funny.... I think it's MUCH easier to align anything with the tires on. So do alignment shops. They don't take them off either. How in the world do you check tow-in with no tires on??


Why not just unbolt them and turn them over. It won't change any of the adjustments..... It will still work fine and not hit the subframe, which it looks like it already is.

No she dont hot at all, surprisingly

Are you drinking again? It's not even morning! :beer2:

Yep, doesn't hit my subframe either. Time for you to go to bed Johnny!!

Well boys, I'm quite certain it would if you flexed the axle enough.

It's a long time from my bedtime. According to you profile Jibber, at your age I'm surprised your still up. :biggrin2:

I found it was easier to take a framing square against the frame and adjust the tie rods until the axles were in line with the square, so at 90 degrees to the frame. Can't do that with the tires on.

I always just put a mark in the center of the tire on the front and the back and use a tape measure. Must do work pretty good because I would do it to cars after front end work, then take them to the alignment shop and they might be 1-2 deg off. Pretty easy on a GT as you can do it by yourself.

By the way, they should toe in, not be square. Check your book. Should say 1/8". I'll go up to a 1/4".

Yup. They are.

How would you know if you adjusted it with the tires off?

Because the axles are not perpendicular to the frame. They are turned in a bit.