L120 Steering MOD

[L120]

Hello all,

As I'm OCD it seems to replace anything & everything on my L120 JD tractor including the engine already, I've always noticed a bad wobble in the steering shaft. Poking around up in there, I found NO bearing of sorts at the top of the steering shaft...NONE. It wobbles almost 3/4" when you wiggle it. Let's see how I can improve this today.

My plan is to remove the steering wheel and top half of console. There is a metal plate that provides mounts for throttle/choke etc. This metal plate is what I will be bolting on a flange bearing to support the top of steering shaft.

Yep...already replaced the steering spindles and now have roller bearings in the front wheel hubs. Maybe this tractor will steer straight with a solid feel while cornering.

 

[beenthere]

No pics? Pls..

 

[tomplum]

There is supposed to be bushing in the upper support as well. Sounds like it will be better than new. Perchance are the front wheels pigeon toed?

 

[L120]

No pics? Pls..

Project is on hold till Friday when the proper sized bearing comes in....crap ! I had a 1/2" flange bearing & needed a 5/8"

Until then, I must get my cam working and start a picture hosting site account. I had photobucket before then suddenly it quite working...double crap...lol

 

[L120]

There is supposed to be bushing in the upper support as well. Sounds like it will be better than new. Perchance are the front wheels pigeon toed?

Nope...alignment looks great. Curious why JD has two steering rods to each wheel rather than one rod to one wheel then a tie rod of sorts between the two. YES...the front end already feels solid.

Would like a front bumper, but the one bought from Lowes said for L100 series didn't fit. Almost non trusting to order one online...some specifically say bumpers for the L120. The twin tube looks really nice and will keep me from bashing into shtuff.

 

[Richard001]

Would like a front bumper, but the one bought from Lowes said for L100 series didn't fit. Almost non trusting to order one online...some specifically say bumpers for the L120. The twin tube looks really nice and will keep me from bashing into shtuff.

So sounds like you also need to fix your brakes.

Or get new glasses !

Richard

 

[tomplum]

BG20436 is the number listed by parts on the Mc Bumper. Good deal on the rest of the steering. I think a genuine OEM suicide knob on that steering wheel is in order.

 

[L120]

The bearing came in today...That was fast !

Here are pics of the bearing installed on the metal plate under the dash/console. This was extremely easy to do removing the top half of the tractor's dash. Getting just the metal plate off, it was drill 2-1/4" bolt holes to mount the bearing aligning it using the hole already there and woller'D out a bit. It got dark on me and my camera didn't want to work to show you it installed with everything back together.

 

[L120]

BG20436 is the number listed by parts on the Mc Bumper. Good deal on the rest of the steering. I think a genuine OEM suicide knob on that steering wheel is in order.

Thanks Tom for the part number for the bumper.

New engine & steering were my top projects with this tractor. The only other mods will be the mower deck. It's been completely overhauled spindles w/reinforce rings, belts, pully's. I've had to weld er up in a few places and those black deck wheels have worn completely out in 1-season. The paint needs touched up in a few places, but should wait on that until it gets warm again.

 

[jgayman]

BG20436 is the number listed by parts on the Mc Bumper. Good deal on the rest of the steering. I think a genuine OEM suicide knob on that steering wheel is in order.

JD Parts actually lists two different bumpers for the L120.

Key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
8 BG20016 Bumper 1 ORDER BG20436
26 BG20944 Kit 1 SUB FOR BG20436; Front Bumper

 

[L120]

JD Parts actually lists two different bumpers for the L120.

Key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
8 BG20016 Bumper 1 ORDER BG20436
26 BG20944 Kit 1 SUB FOR BG20436; Front Bumper

View attachment 586534

I like the double tube bumper, but it would need to mount in a most creative way so the hood will open on the L120.

The diagram gave me an idea for another mod. LED headlights. The bulbs in mine right now suck and are so dull, the won't even attract a bug at night...lol

 

[L120]

Took er out for a test drive yesterday. The steering was very tight. I have completely removed steering wheel slop.

 

[L120]

JD Parts actually lists two different bumpers for the L120.

Key PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
8 BG20016 Bumper 1 ORDER BG20436
26 BG20944 Kit 1 SUB FOR BG20436; Front Bumper

View attachment 586534

Just ordered the front bumper. The seller had a pic of the single bumper on the L120 so I'm confident this allow let the hood open all the way. THANKS