Cub Cadet 6X4 Shop Handbook page 137

14. Correcting a steering wheel that is not visually
centered when the wheels are pointed straight
ahead:
• Shortening the left tie rod and lengthening the
right tie rod by a corresponding amount will bias
the steering to the left.
If the steering wheel needs to rotate clockwise to
be visually centered, this adjustment will
straighten the wheel.
• Shortening the right tie rod and lengthening the
left tie rod by a corresponding amount will bias
the steering to the right.
If the steering wheel needs to rotate counter-
clockwise to be visually centered, this adjust-
ment will straighten the wheel.
• Before making these adjustments, confirm that
the steering wheel is not simply mis-indexed on
the steering shaft splines. If there is a big differ-
ence in the length of visible threads on the left
and right tie rods, the steering wheel itself is very
likely off-center.
15. After making a tie rod adjustment:
• Roll the vehicle back and forth, bouncing it up
and down slightly to settle the suspension.
• Make sure the steering wheel is centered.
• Re-measure the toe angle. Make further adjust-
ments if necessary.
• When the toe adjustment is correct, tighten the
jam nut.
16. To remove the steering wheel for indexing:
See Figure 4.20.
Figure 4.20
Chapter 4 - Front Suspension and steering
16a. Pry the cover off of the center of the steer-
ing wheel.
16b. Remove the cap screw and washer that
hold the wheel to the steering shaft using
a 1/2" wrench.
16c. Match-mark the steering wheel for refer-
ence, and pull it off of the splined shaft.
16d. Rotate the wheel as necessary, and rein-
stall it.
NOTE: The steering wheel has 36 splines, so
each notch is 10 degrees.
16e. Apply thread locking compound such as
Loctite® 242 (blue) to the threads, and
tighten it to a torque of 18-22 ft-lbs.
17. Test-drive the vehicle in a safe area before
returning it to service.
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