QuestionHi Martin -
Sabre Lawn Tractor model 15.538 Gear. The front wheels are no longer vertical but splay out at the bottom. I've checked the front axle and find no bent or out alignment situations. It's becoming hard to steer because of this. What should I be looking for? Thank you, Brad
Answer Subject: front wheels slant out at the bottom Question: Hi Martin -
Sabre Lawn Tractor model 15.538 Gear. The front wheels are no longer vertical but splay out at the bottom. I've checked the front axle and find no bent or out alignment situations. It's becoming hard to steer because of this. What should I be looking for? Thank you, Brad
Hi Brad.
Yes you are quite wright to be concerned about this front wheel angle, they should ofcourse toe in at the bottomed to give good turning.
POSSIBLE CAUSES: -
Wheel bearings badly worn. - With tractor sitting on firm level ground grab the top of the tyre and push back and forward towards the other front tyre and back there should only be a very small amount off play if it is very bad remove front hub cap. This should expose a large nut with a split pin through the middle of the nut and axle locking the 2 to gather. Remove the split pin and do the nut up by hand gradually removing the free movement of the wheel. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE WHEEL SHOULD STILL BE FREE TO SPIN, WHEN DONE-- FIT A NEW SPLIT PIN AND THE HUB CAPE WITH NEW GREASE.
The other causes of toe in could be badly worn king pin bushes. These are the vertical shafts that the wheel turns on they should normal be greased a couple of times a year.
It’s possable that the front axle has had some one sit on the front of the tractor and bent it down!
Check with original shape in the manual. If bent its best to replace it.
Can’t think of any thing else.
Martin
