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.