Screw-shoulder 738-04141

1. Disassembled dash and steering components. This is straight foreword but does require some time. Removing the mower deck may make this easier but I just jacked up the mower and lowered the front, leaving the back of the deck connected. The lower bolt on the steering shaft had to be heated to get it to break loose.
2. I first replace the Lower Dash, then the lower components of the steering assembly. When the parts in the lower steering assembly do wear out, the spacer allowed play in the steering assembly which will cause the lower gear on the steering shaft to wear out.
3. Next the steering shaft went into place and the upper dash went back together. I used anti-seize on everything.
4. On reassemble, I replaced the lower steering shaft Phillips head screw with a standard hex bolt to make removal easier next time.
5. Next was to ensure the front wheels were centered, adjust the steering linkage and install the steering wheel.
6. Then just raise the front of the deck and reconnect the linkage. Once the mower is off the jack, check/adjust the deck to ensure it is level, it should be OK.

I do recommend having the parts book with the expanded drawings, just to reference for the parts and the locations. It is not difficult, but I still took my time with it and could have probably shaved quite a bit of time off the project it the lower steering shaft screw wasn't locked up and required heat to break loose. Removing the mower deck completely may also give you a little more room to work, but is not necessary. Using one of those mower jacks that picks up the front end also makes this easier but anything to raise it and block it in place will work.

I had to take off the deck and the transmission pulley gear to get a sawzall in to remove the screw holding the steering shaft to the frame. After this, I had to take apart the console to remove the shaft and gear. Parts were perfect and and replacement was quick. Greatly assisted by the schematics on the site.

Removing the old steering parts was no difficult. Getting some parts was a bit tight behind the engine. Had the tractor on jack stands so I could get under it. Downloaded the parts diagram and used it to reinstall the parts once they arrived. Centered the front wheels and steering wheel, tightened all parts and finished.

Started out removing steering shaft then the gear assembly and retainer plate then put the new parts back same order that was removed ending with greasing all parts fit perfect steers like new again

Taking everything off to get to the gear assembly including moving gas tank, top of dash, dropping the front of the deck, removing front tires...After fighting with the phillips screw at the bottom of steering shaft for an hour finally had to use torch to heat it then use the 1/2" impact to break it loose...If you follow your exploded parts list and not lose any parts this repair is just time consuming but is not that hard...