3225 losing power steering

[poneykeg]

After dealing with short jerks on the steering wheel and doing all the things you try to cure the problem short of getting a new cylinder that a cc dealer thought was the problem it was time to get serious and use my head. Today I removed the screenbelow the steering wheel andlooking at that rubber boot, if you lift it you will see there is no universal joint there but having STP oil treatment close by I dropped a 1/2 tspn on that mechanism that lets you tilt the wheel and presto, I have now the best power steering that 3225 has ever had!!!!!After having it for 1300 hrs. I may start to like it.

 

[markb112]

I'm so jealous I don't know what to say. 1300hrs, I've got one that just turned 500 and it's been a real lemon. I've put 75hrs on it. Currently I'm trying to fix a mower problem. This is a list of the things I've done: 2 mower deck belts, drive belts, a deck spindle, a coil(it's a lot of fun to change if you've never had the priviledge) and the rearends leaking like a civ. It runs good but boy have I had problems. Do me a favor and look at your front pto drive pulley with the blades running and see if it's warped. Mine's wabbling like somebody took a hammer to it. I'm just wondering if this is normal for these things. Congrats on 1300 hrs.

 

[poneykeg]

Well we might have close numbers. My 3225 is an early model as one part that was R&R was the PTO clutch because the early one the paper diaphram was exposed instead of enclosed. I mowed a couple of hours with a mixture of electrical tape and glue from a tire patch kit--Worked to seal a split in the paper. Things replaced, 2 sets of belts,i trip to a dealer -never again!! It wouldn`t start and when it did would die at least 3 to 400 yards from my garage.After the dealerwas pid 580.00 I had new coils, no lights -they said they had a short in them, nogas low level light, seat safety switch shorted. I have become a non certified CC mechanic Qualified to work under roof, shade tree or 50-95 degrees in a 8 acre field or 3 acre yard. There are several other things R&R . I have an 1863-54in with 2390 hrs. that hasn`t had near the parts replaced.The motor is ready to be overhauled but just bought another 1863 with 450 hrs with a blown transmission for 350.00 to upgrade mine. The 3225 is a good GT and nothnig will do a better job mowing when it chooses to. It cut 1/3 time off the 1863 due to 60" and power steering.