Is it difficult to tighten up the steering linkage?

IaLeo · Jul 17, 2021

On a John Deere X534? About 850 hours on it and the 4 wheel steer gets a real workout around stuff (70 or so trees) but now the steering is getting hilariously wobbly, you cannot go very fast!

I had jacked up the back to take of the rear wheel chains this spring and one could move the (steer) the rear wheels by hand a lot without steering the front wheels at all. This unit was "fixed" by the JD dealer (grumply) under warranty some time back for this "loosness".

I am not looking forward to taking the dect off again to look up under the unit to figure out how the front and rear wheels are linked. I guess I need a service manual. Any one know how this linkage is apt to wear at some point(s)? Leo

Mule Meat · Jul 22, 2021

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qWNgcuVVwG4

IaLeo · Jul 31, 2021

Here is what I found: the bolt-on stud on the left front wheel steering arm drives the rear linkage. All pivots and joints serving the back wheel steering look good.

BUT that stud was loose in its clamping to the arm, and a little tippy play makes a big difference on controlling the rear wheel steer.

I did not have the correct wrenches nor ambition to figure out how to tighten the fasteners at the bottom of that stud. I doubt if that could made tight enough due to probable stud diameter or mount hole wear. Probably should just have it welded. Gotta check with the JD service folks for their opinion.

Will post later this fall what I finally did to solve the uncontrollable steering at any thing but half throttle.

I really like the 4 wheel steer as it serves well on snow blowing as well as mowing around 100 trees and bushes. Besides if you want the effect, it is like riding the county fair Tilt-A-Whirl doing a quick turn around!

Is it difficult to tighten up the steering linkage?

IaLeo

Well-known Member

Mule Meat

Well-known Member

IaLeo

Well-known Member

Similar threads