LT 1050 Steering Issues - Help

[jsnolan99]

Hey guys,

I recently stumbled across this forum and found some useful info on here, but now I'm in a bind...

I have a LT 1050 with 114 hrs. The problem is the steering shaft gear isn't fully touching the sprocket that's attached to the drag links going to the front tires. It seems that the sprocket needs to be loosened and pushed back to help it make full contact, but I can't figure out how to do it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jeromy

 

[rcbe]

Lift up and tilt forward your tractor's seat and get both the tractor's model number (13 digits) and the tractor's serial number from off the identification plate/sticker (usually located on the seat pan underside).

Go to the Cub Cadet website. At the bottom of the opening page, there will be a link named "customer service". Follow that link to where it directs you to manuals and enter both the model number and serial number you recorded. You will be presented with a list of downloadable documents such as parts lists, owners manual and service manuals. download and save all that may be applicable to your machine.

I don't think there is an designed "adjustment" as you describe. Rather, broken/worn parts need to be replaced - exactly which ones you will have to determine. Also note that Cub Cadet recommends replacing both the steering pinion gear and sector as a new matched set.

Also, review the service manual instructions steering sections first to decide if you want to do the changeout yourself or take the tractor in for service.It is a bit complicated.

Good luck

 

[dqdave1]

I would take pictures and send them to CC web site (include pic of hour meter) and ask them if they will warranty this.

 

[jsnolan99]

Thanks for the help!!!!

I will let you know what I find out. Although it may be a week or two. I'm leaving for a little vacation about mid week.

 

[JTKub]

I saw a similar post somewhere with the same exact issue. It was one of the steering shaft bushings being worn out IIRC. Worn bushing = slop in the upper steering shaft = steering gears no meshy. It should be a pretty easy fix for you.

Joel

 

[lexus114]

I saw a similar post somewhere with the same exact issue. It was one of the steering shaft bushings being worn out IIRC. Worn bushing = slop in the upper steering shaft = steering gears no meshy. It should be a pretty easy fix for you.

Joel

No way to grease those bearings huh?

 

[GACub1554]

I had a SLT1554 that had this exact same issue. It is not a serviceable bearing on that sterring shaft. It is actually a metal bushing that the shaft runs through and eventually wears out. I replaced mine twice in a four year old mower. I got the parts from my local Cub dealer (Wilson's tractors in Conyers Ga) and it may have cost me $8 tops. ITs not that difficult to replace either. You have to take the sterring wheel off, then you have to get under the tractor and remove the bolt the secures the steering gear to the shaft and remove the gear. You then can pull the steering shaft up through the tractor enough that you can slide the old bushing out and slide the new bushing in. The fit was kinda tight because I have large hands but I got it done in about 30 minutes or so. YOu probably will want to replace that gear (which you already removed) at the bottom of the bottom of the shaft because it is probably worn too. I have since upgraded to a GT2550, hopefully I won't have that issue anymore. The 1554 was a great tractor, I just needed a little more tractor!

 

[jsnolan99]

I saw a similar post somewhere with the same exact issue. It was one of the steering shaft bushings being worn out IIRC. Worn bushing = slop in the upper steering shaft = steering gears no meshy. It should be a pretty easy fix for you.

Joel

Well that was it. Finally got around to ordering the parts and fixing the mower today. It was the bushing at the bottom of the shaft. All in all, not hard to change. The parts were around $8 from cubcadet.com. It's just a shame they use such cheap parts. After looking at the worn out bushing. There is no way that it should have worn out with only 115 hrs on the mower. Just my $.02.

Thanks again to all the help fellas.

 

[micman32]

Make sure you give it a shot of grease every so often. My manuel says every 30 hours.

Michael

 

[irklit]

Well it seems its my turn on my LT1050 model. Its been 6 yrs since I had it but it seems I finaly wore my bushing out too. So from the replies above it seems doable by someone willing even if I got fat fingers. Hope my local dealer has the parts in as a week or more holdup would have my lawn a bit to cut on catch up. Good thinkg I did not put fertilizer down....I knew there was a reason why I procrastinated. So per instruction above it seems the steering has to come off to life the rod up enoug to slip the bushing on and retighten. I think I will put a new gear on while I have it apart.

 

[irklit]

So my local cub dealer had the stearing shaft gear and bushing type nut in for about 10bucks total. Took about 30 minutes like the guy above who gave nice detailed suggestions on taking off steering wheel, etc. Thanks for posting info like this as it does help others out even years later. What would we do without google and forums like this! The dealer told me those 2 parts tend to wear prematurely because of the cheaper metal versus the other gear part it rides against to steer the wheels. He noted there are 2 ubshing type nuts on that other 1/2 circle gear and should be checke too for wear besides the shaft gear. Thanks again. Now I can enjoy my MEM Day weekend.

 

[richard herzog]

I have a Cub Cadet LT1050 with steering issues looked under saw gear attached to steering column with chips in it. also lots of play in column so I assume that the bushing is bad, so how do you get to the bushing to replace it. I have the new gears but waiting on the bushing.

 

[irklit]

If your referring to the bushing on the steering rod, its easy. Once you losen the nut at the bottom, take the steering wheel off the rod slides up..just slide it up enough so that you can see it thru eng area. If your fingers are not too thick you should be able to push it out of the frame it sets in from the bottom and also putting your fingers int he area from the top side where the rod slides out of. It really was not that bad and I consider myself to have fat fingers. If you referring to the bushings Im told exist on the 1/2 circle saw tooth plate that the steering rod gear turns agains, I dont know as luckilly I caught mine just as the steering got lose the first time. Good luck. Did my rod gear and bushing change in 30min or less...really.

 

[Dr Dave]

Be shure to grease on assembly, check your tie rod ends also, I had 1 fall off 2 hours after installing bushings and gears, another trip for parts.

 

[irklit]

And check the ball joints by the wheels too..one of those I had to replace already at about 4 yrs ago.

 

[Charze]

My 2006 LT1050 just developed loose steering [and slipping of pinion gear]. I'm not sure if the bushing is worn or if the hole in frame has 'wallowed out', as grandpa used to say. The bushing measures 5/8" and the inside diameter of the hole is just over 3/4" . . .
Is the bushing pressed on the steering shaft and tough to remove?

 

[irklit]

My 2006 LT1050 just developed loose steering [and slipping of pinion gear]. I'm not sure if the bushing is worn or if the hole in frame has 'wallowed out', as grandpa used to say. The bushing measures 5/8" and the inside diameter of the hole is just over 3/4" . . .
Is the bushing pressed on the steering shaft and tough to remove?

As I recall, the bushing just set in the frame and the steering rod just slips thru it when I changed mine last year.

 

[Charze]

Thanks, irklit - I hope you're right. Not looking forward to intense whammering in tight places. Still looking for info on size of bushing and diameter of hole through the frame.

 

[irklit]

Thanks, irklit - I hope you're right. Not looking forward to intense whammering in tight places. Still looking for info on size of bushing and diameter of hole through the frame.

I did not have to remove the entire steering wheel or or rod but had to get it lifted up enough to come out of that spacer to then be able to reinsert the steering rod. I think the spacer just sits in the frame portion..took me about 1/2 hour to replace. I also replaced the gear at the end of the steering rod since it seemed to be worn too. I suspect I will have to replace that spacer every few years though my 2006 tractor this was the first time in 2012 it was done. I seem to have more issues with the ball joints which btw amazon has a seller of them very cheap compared to my local shop so I stocked up on a few of those ball joints at like 1/2 the price. Have fun though it never is.