My Tractor Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Tire Toe-Out Problem????!!?!?

Jump to Latest
1 - 14 of 14 Posts

Dixon26Kohler

· Registered
Joined
·
15 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello, New to the Forum and Belated Merry Christmas!!!

I got a 2013 Dixon 26KH48 (26hp V-Twin Kohler Courage/48" Deck) Riding Mower since New

My Dad, Brother and I have Beat to **** this Beast of a machine to **** and Back and Keeps Chugging Along and Paid off for itself Countless Times. For that it has Always got It's Maintenance on a Regular Schedule because it earned it.

However, there is one Issue I can't Figure out...

The Front Tires Toe-Out Situation...

I've Replaced:
-Drag Links(Tie Rods)
-Spindles(Tire Axles)

And when I did all this work I checked everything underneath, Nothing was Bent or out of Place...


But the Toe is Still Out!!!

Is there something I looked over????

Any Advice, Suggestions or Help would be Awesome

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Look at the front spindle where the tie rod attaches.
I was working on a Husquvarna 2348 that had the same problem, and looking at the parts diagram they are the same tractor.
The arm that the tie rod hooks to is so thin, when you drive through a rut or bump the front tires on anything the arm will twist.
It don't take much of a twist and you have toe in toe out problems.

I used an adjustable wrench tightened down on the arm to twist it to adjust the toe till it tracked right.
When it was right, it turned much better and easier to turn the steering wheel as well.

But like I said, it is very easy to twist those arms.
 
#3 ·
Dixon26Kohler said:
Hello, New to the Forum and Belated Merry Christmas!!!

I got a 2013 Dixon 26KH48 (26hp V-Twin Kohler Courage/48" Deck) Riding Mower since New

My Dad, Brother and I have Beat to ** this Beast of a machine to ** and Back and Keeps Chugging Along and Paid off for itself Countless Times. For that it has Always got It's Maintenance on a Regular Schedule because it earned it.

However, there is one Issue I can't Figure out...

The Front Tires Toe-Out Situation...

I've Replaced:
-Drag Links(Tie Rods)
-Spindles(Tire Axles)

And when I did all this work I checked everything underneath, Nothing was Bent or out of Place...


But the Toe is Still Out!!!

Is there something I looked over????

Any Advice, Suggestions or Help would be Awesome

Thanks
Click to expand...
Not certain without pics, but there is a common problem with many lawn tractors which causes toe-out. I have had it happen on a J-D L120 and a Husqvarna 48" w/ Kohler 24hp ( don't remember model # ). Could be your trouble.
What happens is that the pivot bushing at the center of the front axle wears out. I think it is plastic or rubber. When it gets loose, the axle twists to the rear from driving forces, which causes the tie rods to be too long and the wheels toe out. The bushing is probably replaceable, but I didn't try because the bushing bolt is installed from the front so would need to remove the muffler and then probably would need new gaskets. So I measured, removed the tie rods, pressed them in an arbor press until they were shorter by the correct amount and reinstalled them. Toe does not change any more once the bushing collapses, so this is a "permanent repair".
 
#5 ·
Have a good look at the frame and axle for wear as Harry described. When my Craftsman frame cracked across it at the the axle's cross channel, the condition Harry described, the front axle leaning backward some, caused the steering to do the same thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dixon26Kohler
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Dave55 said:
Look at the front spindle where the tie rod attaches.
I was working on a Husquvarna 2348 that had the same problem, and looking at the parts diagram they are the same tractor.
The arm that the tie rod hooks to is so thin, when you drive through a rut or bump the front tires on anything the arm will twist.
It don't take much of a twist and you have toe in toe out problems.

I used an adjustable wrench tightened down on the arm to twist it to adjust the toe till it tracked right.
When it was right, it turned much better and easier to turn the steering wheel as well.

But like I said, it is very easy to twist those arms.
Click to expand...
Thanks
Dave55 said:
Look at the front spindle where the tie rod attaches.
I was working on a Husquvarna 2348 that had the same problem, and looking at the parts diagram they are the same tractor.
The arm that the tie rod hooks to is so thin, when you drive through a rut or bump the front tires on anything the arm will twist.
It don't take much of a twist and you have toe in toe out problems.

I used an adjustable wrench tightened down on the arm to twist it to adjust the toe till it tracked right.
When it was right, it turned much better and easier to turn the steering wheel as well.

But like I said, it is very easy to twist those arms.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the Advice, I will be keeping note of what you said for a routine check and however I just replaced all the parts and haven't used the tractor yet.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Harry Ferguson said:
Not certain without pics, but there is a common problem with many lawn tractors which causes toe-out. I have had it happen on a J-D L120 and a Husqvarna 48" w/ Kohler 24hp ( don't remember model # ). Could be your trouble.
What happens is that the pivot bushing at the center of the front axle wears out. I think it is plastic or rubber. When it gets loose, the axle twists to the rear from driving forces, which causes the tie rods to be too long and the wheels toe out. The bushing is probably replaceable, but I didn't try because the bushing bolt is installed from the front so would need to remove the muffler and then probably would need new gaskets. So I measured, removed the tie rods, pressed them in an arbor press until they were shorter by the correct amount and reinstalled them. Toe does not change any more once the bushing collapses, so this is a "permanent repair".
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, I hadn't even thought of that and If there is a Bushing located at the Center Pivot, I can Definitely imagine that it has Ceased to Exist after 9 years.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I checked the Front axle pivot bushings (Metal Flange bushings) had no damage remarkably and the axle is in good shape with no bends or cracks.

I ended up shoving a shim washer in front of the flange bushings at the pivot and also added a shim to the front tires.

After all the work I ended up replacing everything, because it needed an overhaul with the warn parts and will be getting New tires soon.

However, the tires aren't dead straight, which irritates the crap out of me, but when I got it new I do remember the wheels weren't dead straight, isn't that normal though?

Thanks
 
#13 ·
Dave55 said:
Look at the front spindle where the tie rod attaches.
I was working on a Husquvarna 2348 that had the same problem, and looking at the parts diagram they are the same tractor.
The arm that the tie rod hooks to is so thin, when you drive through a rut or bump the front tires on anything the arm will twist.
It don't take much of a twist and you have toe in toe out problems.

I used an adjustable wrench tightened down on the arm to twist it to adjust the toe till it tracked right.
When it was right, it turned much better and easier to turn the steering wheel as well.

But like I said, it is very easy to twist those arms.
Click to expand...

This right here! Ive had to "adjust" my LGT many times over the last few years for this issue. Mine normaly bend down though, not twist, but I guess it could be either. One day after I adjust it, ill weld on some guessets to firm it all up, but it hasnt happened yet
 
#14 ·
I had the same plan with that Husky next time it is near a welder.
The stock piece that the tie rod bolts into might be thick enough if you have a billiard table smooth lawn.
Driving across one curb or through one ditch is enough to twist that bracket, and I use the term bracket very loosely.
 
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
About this Discussion
13 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
Dave55
My Tractor Forum
posts
4.4M
members
246K
Since
2005
A family friendly forum community dedicated to all Tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about specifications, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
John Deere Forum Craftsman/Sears Forum Backyard Round Table: L & G Tractor Related Topics Introductions Walk Behind Mowers