John Deere LA Steering

[Countryside Tractor]

I have a restored la and it steers very hard. I’m wondering what I can do to it to make it steer easier. It creaks and groans and you can hardly steer it. Any ideas? The steering box seems set right.

 

[jd man wis]

Take a look and see if that steering box has oil in it. I use 80 90 in mine. Also remove the steering rod from the steering box and up to the wheels and clean up the ball on them an then put a dab of grease in the rod socket. They never get gease and a little in there makes them turn nice.might as well gerase the front end also. Jack the front wheel off the ground then gerase it tell it come out the bottom on both sides. If it still turns hard then the steering box is set up to tight an needs more play in it.

 

[David G]

They do steer hard, but make sure there is lubrication, I had to replace the all the bearings in my neighbors as they were very rough. I got some them from Ridenour and crossed others over. There are two styles with serial number breaks. It does steer hard but smooth now.

 

[David G]

You also want to make sure the box is not too tight. Remember most of the wear is in the middle, so if you adjust it tight there it will bind on the ends.