Front Wheel Alignment - MTD 700 Series Professional Shop Manual

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700 Series Lawn Tractor

Front wheel alignment

Normally a tractor will only be out of alignment if it has been in a accident and a component has been bent or
damaged. Another need for an alignment would be when steering or front end components are being serviced.
The toe-in is set in a fixed position due to the fixed length of the rod connected between the right and left axles.
During assembly at the factory the steering gear is assembled with an equal number of teeth showing on both
sides of the steering shaft pinion gear. There is a centering hole in the bottom of the steering gear that is lined up with
a hole in the frame. The steering shaft and pinion gear are then installed.The steering wheel is then attached with the
steering wheel spokes centered.
NOTE: A mis-adjusted steering link may leave the steering gear off-center, giving the tractor a maximum turn-
ing radius that is shorter in one direction and longer in the other.
View the steering gear from behind the engine and below the fuel tank. Turn the steering wheel until and equal
number of steering gear teeth are on each side of the steering shaft pinion gear.
The steering gear is now centered and the front wheels should be facing straight ahead.
If the front wheels are not facing straight ahead, the steering link will need to be adjusted to bring the front wheels
into alignment.
To adjust the steering link:
1. Center the steering gear as described above.
2. Loosen the jam nut that locks the ball joint in posi-
tion. Hold the ball joint using a 1/2" wrench, and
loosen the nut using an 11/16" wrench.
See Figure 3.22.
3. After the jam nut is loosened, remove the steering
arm from the axle as described in the axle bushing
replacement procedure.
NOTE: This is preferable to separating the ball joint
from the steering arm because the center-
locking nut that secures the ball joint to the
steering arm distorts the threads on installa-
tion.
4. Manually position the front wheels until they are
pointing straight ahead.
5. Rotate the steering arm and ball joint to thread them up or down the steering link as necessary to align the
steering arm with the axle.
6. Test-fit the steering arm to confirm alignment.
7. Once positioned tighten the steering arm clamp bolt to a torque of 200-260 in-lb. (22.6 Nm-29.4 Nm).
NOTE: Replace the nylon ring lock nut if it has lost its retaining capabilities.
8. Center the ball joint in its travel, so it does not bind, and tighten the jam nut that secures it.
9. Inspect the steering wheel and determine that it is pointing straight ahead.
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Loosen jam nut
Remove steering arm
Figure 3.22