Just bought a JD L130 from a friend who needed to sell it. After going thru deck, I wanted to replace front tires due to wear. After closer inspection, I noticed front wheels not aligned. I measured from rear wheel to front wheel and the right side is 1" further back that left. I then noticed damage to lower hood and muffler shroud. Maybe someone hit something hard. How do I align the frame again or should I just bend one of the steering links to get aligned?? Front axle looks straight though.
- Thread starter maricopa
- Start date
Steve@Advance
Well-known Member
Not picking on any one brand, but riding mowers and garden tractors are notorious for having very poorly designed steering components.
Get the weight off the front wheels and check everything for wear, broken welds, bent links, etc.
Seems every riding mower I ever had, (until I went zero turn) I had to reinforce the front end, lots of fabing heavier parts to replace the under engineered original ones.
Get the weight off the front wheels and check everything for wear, broken welds, bent links, etc.
Seems every riding mower I ever had, (until I went zero turn) I had to reinforce the front end, lots of fabing heavier parts to replace the under engineered original ones.
Butch(OH)
Well-known Member
If I am reading that correctly the tractor is what we call "dog tracking". It is caused by the non-steering axle not being in correct alignment. Tractor must have taken a big hit at some point. Your frame and axles are not square, they are forming a diamond shape with the right rear being ahead of the left rear as viewed from the top.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Can you jack that thing up or crawl under there and take diagnonal measurements on the frame? A big come-along might be all you need.
While you're under there check to make sure the front and rear axle mounts are still fastened to the frame.
You may need to straighten the frame and then weld the brackets back in the right place. There's not much money involved unless you have to hire it done. I have done one like that.
While you're under there check to make sure the front and rear axle mounts are still fastened to the frame.
You may need to straighten the frame and then weld the brackets back in the right place. There's not much money involved unless you have to hire it done. I have done one like that.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
If the engine, transaxle, and deck are good, you might be ahead to buy a rolling chassis with bad parts. Those go pretty cheap.
I am wondering if you need to check the rear transaxle mounts. 1" out of alignment should have caused some serious buckling of the frame somewhere that should be obvious.
You also need to check the angle the steering arm is welded on each front spindle. They should be mirror images of each other.
That said, You may still have to bend the front axle drag links to get the steering back in fairly good alignment. Deere may have adjustable drag links available like Husqvarna does for theirs, but they may cost so much it is not practical to install them.
You also need to check the angle the steering arm is welded on each front spindle. They should be mirror images of each other.
That said, You may still have to bend the front axle drag links to get the steering back in fairly good alignment. Deere may have adjustable drag links available like Husqvarna does for theirs, but they may cost so much it is not practical to install them.
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