Deere LT150 steering issue

jd2007 said:

Possibly the wheel bearings are bad? Make sure the grease is coming out of the top & bottom of the steering spindles when greasing it.

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I try to do all my own maintenance but greasing these fittings doesn't seem to do anything for my machine, at least in the last few years. Can someone explain how the fittings work? Is there a hole through the fitting that needs to be cleaned out and refilled with fresh clean grease? I know that sounds dumb but I always felt like I was doing it "by the book" but it seems like maybe not now. Any info appreciated... And pictures help too. I am a computer guy, not a mechanic. :dunno:

sonjason said:

the dang thing has become so hard to steer that my wife has a hard time mowing the grass.

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:sidelaugh Seems like it's her mower and she needs to fix it. :sidelaugh

All kidding aside, make certain the tires are inflated to near maximum pressure as seen on the side wall. If that doesn't correct the problem, jack the front up at the center of the axle so both wheels clear and with the front wheels up your wife should be able to turn the steering wheel with one finger. If not maybe we can delve into this in more detail.

SeniorCitizen said:

:sidelaugh Seems like it's her mower and she needs to fix it. :sidelaugh

All kidding aside, make certain the tires are inflated to near maximum pressure as seen on the side wall. If that doesn't correct the problem, jack the front up at the center of the axle so both wheels clear and with the front wheels up your wife should be able to turn the steering wheel with one finger. If not maybe we can delve into this in more detail.

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She stays home with our kids and just has more time to do it than me, because I have a decent commute to work as well. Gotta keep her "enjoying the task" by making sure the machine is working well. :fing32:

Anyway, I will get the mower out tonight and get a better look. Thanks for the replies.

I had a LT166 for about 10 years and noticed that it steered hard. Not that hard that my wife had trouble steering it, but it was tough enough. I always greased it and realized that it was just the nature of the beast. My elbows would get sore after cutting for a couple of hours. I have power steering now and would never ever get a mower without power steering again.

farmer69 said:

I had a LT166 for about 10 years and noticed that it steered hard. Not that hard that my wife had trouble steering it, but it was tough enough. I always greased it and realized that it was just the nature of the beast. My elbows would get sore after cutting for a couple of hours. I have power steering now and would never ever get a mower without power steering again.

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Good point, but this has been a recent occurrence in the last 2 mowing seasons. I have been using this mower for 8 years and it never bothered me before. Now you pretty much have to fight the thing to make a simple turn... a hard turn requires a can of Popeye's spinach first. It is definitely an issue and not the norm for this tractor... I just hope there is a remedy because I don't want my wife to have bigger biceps than me. :hide:

All that aside, I realize power steering is nice, but I'm not about to let go of this baby just to gain power steering. The steering I had 2 years ago would make me happy, happy, happy. Besides, this was my first lawn tractor I ever purchased, and I told my wife I would get 20 years out of it easy. I'm halfway there.

The grease in your steering spindles has mixed with dirt and hardened, the front steering spindles on that series cannot be removed from the front axle as they are all one assembly. Your options are to replace the front axle and spindle assembly or heat the spindles with a torch while spraying them with a penetrating lubricant followed by fresh grease, results vary.
Dan

eddyyy302 said:

The grease in your steering spindles has mixed with dirt and hardened, the front steering spindles on that series cannot be removed from the front axle as they are all one assembly. Your options are to replace the front axle and spindle assembly or heat the spindles with a torch while spraying them with a penetrating lubricant followed by fresh grease, results vary.
Dan

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Ouch, not news I wanted. :banghead3

So is this what I would need to replace? How hard of a job is that for an experienced lawn tractor mechanic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/John-Deere-...709?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f034459b5

You could jack up the front of the tractor, placing the jack in the center of the axle so the front wheels are free to turn and all weight is off them. Then you could disconnect the drag link bar that goes from the steering assembly to the front axle. Then you could move the front wheels from right to left by simply moving the tie rod that connects them together. It should be very easy to do. And you could turn the steering wheel, again should be very easy to do. I'm betting it would isolate the problem.

dirtyratssurfrats said:

You could jack up the front of the tractor, placing the jack in the center of the axle so the front wheels are free to turn and all weight is off them. Then you could disconnect the drag link bar that goes from the steering assembly to the front axle. Then you could move the front wheels from right to left by simply moving the tie rod that connects them together. It should be very easy to do. And you could turn the steering wheel, again should be very easy to do. I'm betting it would isolate the problem.

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Thanks for saving SeniorCitizen hunter pecker typing.:fing32:

jd2007 said:

I'd heat the area where the grease goes while pushing in more grease with a grease gun & the heat should loosen the old grease & allow the new grease to work itself in. If the front axle has to be replaced its not a bad job at all.

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This seemed to do the trick. I warmed it up and removed the zerk fitting to make sure I could shove as much grease as possible down in the fitting. As I did this, my daughter sat on the JD and worked the steering left and right. I could tell a noticeable difference within a few minutes... now hopefully after a couple times use it will be back to normal.

Thanks again to all who responded. :fing32:

wayne50 said:

Not familiar with your model, but have you checked the steering shaft itself. It probably has a bushing or two that could be lubed.

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Those bushings and the pinion / sector never get lubed for a couple of reasons. 1) The manufacturer didn't provide an easy way to lube that area and he likes to sell parts. 2) the fear of attracting a little more dust / dirt on top of the lube. There is dust / dirt already there whether we like it or not, lubed or not lubed.

Then you read that " my tractor won't turn to the left anymore "


Mine gets lubed in that area, both bushings and gears.