Steering Shaft

Removed mower deck. Raised machine to get access to large phillips head retaining screw in bottom of shaft. Removed it then, removed the steering wheel and stand off. Pulled shaft out and inserted new one. Reversed removable steps to install new shaft.

Remove steering wheel then mount from dash remove screw at bottom of shaft you need big phillips bit like #4 on ratchet wrench pull out shaft and put new one in it would help to have new wire tie for gas tank working around tank is hard part of project reinstall mount and wheel and you're done

Deck needs to be disconnected and lowered to get better access to bolt in bottom end of shaft . It was a torx head in my machine. Remove bolt. Removed fuel tank mounting screws and tilt tank to side . Remove steering wheel plastic trim . Remove plastic cap over top of shaft. Remove bolt holding steering wheel to shaft. Remove steering wheel. Pull shaft upwards about half way and tilt to right side of motor and slide out of plastic guide at top. The plastic guide will flex enough to let the shaft slide out. Replace the bottom hex flange bearing. It just sets in a hex cutout in the frame. Install the new shaft . Coat the gear and bottom of shaft with grease. Coat the bottom bolt threads with anti-seize compound. Coat the top spline and steering wheel bolt threads with anti-seize compound. Install bolts and steering wheel plastic covers. Reattach deck. The front of the mower needs to be raised to let the deck drop to make it easier.

1. Removed steering shaft (the most difficult part was loosening the shaft's lower end cap )
2. Unbolt and remove the steering wheel.
2. Ensure that the wheels are straight.
3. Install the shaft.
4. Install the shaft end cap
5. Line up the steering wheel and push on the shaft
6. Install and tighten the steering wheel bolt.

Remove hood, fuel tank, steering wheel, inner dash support, phillips screw and washer from bottom end of steering shaft and plastic bushing/sleeve from inner dash. this will give you enough wiggle room to pull shaft and pinion out through bottom side. Poor design with the pinion machined onto the shaft. The holes in dash support are not large enough to let the shaft and pinion pass through. So its the hard way. So to reassemble just reverse the BS. I added a grease cup, full of grease to shaft just above rack and pinion and let gravity deliver the grease. A dirty dusty place and the grease may make it worse in the long run. Time will tell but it works fine and steers easier now than new. that's my wife's opinion and she the mower. Good luck

(1) Took front cover and dash off.
(2) Dropped Mower blades/cover.
(3) Removed Hex Patch Bolt from Steering Shaft. Had to use vice-grips.
(4) Removed steering shaft.
(5) Replaced all parts in reverse order.
(6) Aligned steering wheel with front wheels.
(7) Started and tested steering.

Started at the bottom, Removed the screw that held in the bottom of the shaft. Went to the steering wheel, popped the plastic cover off and removed the bolt. Then needed to remove the plastic steering cover to get the gear thru. The bottom screw was very tight , needed to remove the deck, tip the machine over, brace it and then remove the screw. When I put it back together I did not need to tip it over. Put the deck back on. DONE Went easier than I thought.

Drained and took out the gas tank. Disassembled the necessary parts for the steering shaft and steering gear. Reassembled and lubricated the Wheel assemblies. Steering shaft was lost in the mail and ereplacements took care of it for me.

1. Drilled out screw at bottom of Steering Shaft.
2. Removed Steering Shaft and Gear Assembly Steering and associated parts.
3. Replaced both with the new parts and screwed together with all the new parts listed and the existing good parts.

Removed steering wheel, dash panel, and bolt on the under side end of steering shaft. Removed shaft and replaced the old hex bushing on frame, installed new steering shaft. Lined teeth with front tires straight ahead, tightened shaft down to frame. Reassembled dash and steering wheel. Finished in about 25 minutes. It is not necessary to remove the deck, if your arms are small enough. Mine was not so I only had to disconnect the deck leveling rod at the front to lay the deck on the ground. I'm also not very fond of metal to metal bushings. So reassembly with a little Moly Graphite Grease never hurts. Do be sure to use thread locker on the under side of steering shaft, I didn't and spend almost an hour looking for the concave washer that goes under the mower.