Gear,​​ Steering,​​ 11/​​90 Ratio

Getting to the to the bolts on the pinion gear requires removing side bolts of deck it is mounted on to get a wrench on it. Also replaced steering shaft bearing which was worn and allowing for the slippage and wear on pinion gear.
Blow and wash out underside to make work easier.

1. Lift the rear of the mower and insert the jack stands to hold up.
2. Remove the mower deck and slide out.
3. Disconnect the tie-rod ends from the steering gear.
4. Removed 4 side screws holding the plate that steering gear connects to.
5. Drain the gas tank.
6. Unbolt 4 bolts securing the gas tank and lift out the gas tank.
7. Backup the hex head bolt below the gas tank and unscrew the nut on the lower plate.
8. Remove the nut from the bottom of the steering wheel and push up the steering column to remove the pinion gear and the washer.
9. Remove screw securing PTO to drop PTO.
10. Use a socket and a box end wrench as a backup on bolts securing the steering gear. Need to tilt the plate to get to the bolts to backup to remove nuts.
11. Reassembled in reverse order.
12. Replaced the plastic pieces on the ends of the tie-rods through which the lock nuts secure the tie-rods to the steering gear.

Took the fuel tank out, took the deck off, took the drive belt off and dive pulley.
Took off the steering arms so I could remove the pinion and 11/9 steering guide.
I pulled the steering wheel up. It took about 2.5 hours to take off and reinstall
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the toughest it was about a 6.