Busted my 2544's steering...

[JTKub]

Yep I sure did! Got her fixed up last Saturday. I wound up using a mixture of both used steering kits I got from eBay. The first kit came from Florida and was very corroded and sandy (still very usable). The second kit was perfect, but had a smaller sector gear because it came off a 2135. Smaller due to the smaller front tires & 42" deck swing on the 2100s I guess. I used the best parts from each assemby and I'm good to go! It only took me a half hour or so and she was good as new. It really is nice cutting with the 2544 again. Plus I've got steering parts to spare.

Joel

 

[micman32]

COOL! Question for you.... Are there grease fittings on the steering housing ? When i prepped my 2518 for this year I missed doing them. I was looking at the manual and I noticed the lubrication points. I usually have my dealer do this but wanted to save $$$.
My tractor and yours are the same and since you are the Cub Steering Guru I figured you would know.

Michael

 

[JTKub]

Yep, there are two grease fittings on the steering gear housing. One for the long upper shaft that the steering wheel is attached to and one for the lower steering rod. There are no bearings for these shafts, only bronze bushings pressed into the aluminum gear housing. Without adequate grease they will gall and seize up on you.

Joel

 

[micman32]

Thanks! Will grease it this week.

Michael

 

[JTKub]

Even on the setup that broke on my 2544, I only greased the zerks twice in 3yrs/100hrs and there was still a nice pocket of new looking grease for each shaft. There's a big recess in there to hold grease. Too much will just make a mess.

 

[Morkai]

Update on the cut quality:
I finally broke down and bought some cub high-lift blades and tried them out. All I have to say is %)*@#$%!!! It's like night and day! I had let my grass get bad, haven't cut for a few weeks. The bahaya was about knee high. It cut nearly 100% of it. In the back where it gets really thick in the septic tank area it would even leave some uncut crass down the middle even slow. It plowed through that like a champ too! I'm impressed.

I never thought they'd do so much better than the gator blades. It left a few tall stragglers here and there, but I don't know many retail mowers that wouldn't in the shape it was in. That, and I tend to go a little faster in the front where the regular grass isn't very tall. I'm finally satisfied with my cub again. Now I just need to replace the throttle cable that came loose at the lever end.