Poor mans power steering: needle thrust bearings

Greenfrog · Apr 7, 2023

Just saw YouTube video on putting needle thrust bearing on the front wheel assembly on a lawn mower. (Whatever you call the upright part). Drop down the spindle assembly, put in thrust bearing at bottom.
Anybody tried this?
Bearings from Uxcell on Amazon.
Thx in advance. I want to try it on a Cub Cadet 108 and 129.

Duner Wi · Apr 7, 2023

I have not tried it but if you have room and keep them greased I think it a wonderful plan.
Try it and let us know how it worked.

oldsarge · Apr 7, 2023

You need to use the thrust washers above and below the radial bearing or you will chew it up.Some J B Weld may be indicated for support and leveling underneath.Works good

timcasbolt · Apr 7, 2023

(quoted from post at 10:03:21 04/07/23) Just saw YouTube video on putting needle thrust bearing on the front wheel assembly on a lawn mower. (Whatever you call the upright part). Drop down the spindle assembly, put in thrust bearing at bottom.
Anybody tried this?
Bearings from Uxcell on Amazon.
Thx in advance. I want to try it on a Cub Cadet 108 and 129.

did it last year with both my John Deere 110's and my ztr. Definitely easier to steer, especially with the snow blower. No complaints.

steve_in_mo · Apr 9, 2023

I did that to my John Deere 212 that has the blade on the front full time.
I got good results as well and I did use a thrust washer above and below the new bearings.

wore out · Apr 9, 2023

Have any of you done the needle bearing thrust washer ''upgrade'' on the steering gear?

steve_in_mo · Apr 9, 2023

Yes. Did that to the same John Deere 212.
Not as impressive as the washers under the spindle.

steve_in_mo · Apr 10, 2023

You may need to use thrust washers instead of plain washers to make that work.

Greenfrog · Apr 10, 2023

Yes, I have done this. Maybe a minor improvement.
I think the upgrade mentioned in this forum might be better.
You have to find the thin nylon locknut.

Greenfrog · Apr 10, 2023

Washers, or races, come with the needle bearings.

Greenfrog · Apr 10, 2023

These thrust bearings are not that expensive. They ought to be standard parts already placed on the equipment already from the factory.
FYII have an ornamental windmill in my yard. I placed one of these thrust bearings on the pivot bearing atop the windmill. Much improvement. That part gets lots of movement and ware.

the tractor vet · Apr 10, 2023

I have been working on the dead 1250 treasure i bought a while back and i had that crazy thought but there is not room on mine between the spindles and axle housing . At this time i am having a nightmare just rebuilding the steering box and have over half what i gave for the tractor just in the two ball bearings and now looking for a good worm gear and shaft as mine the bearing surfaces are trashed out . sure would have helped if someone had put a grease gun to the steering box as the grease fitting had never once had a grease gun put to it as the org. paint was still covering the end of the grease fitting. . Also did away with the plastic bushing in the upper column and installed a ball bearing up there under the steering wheel. I got the needle thrust bear off amazon for 4.74 . I can not tell you how many hours i have spent digging for a way of salvaging the junk steering shaft and come up with some other type of bearings that i could make work. . But like i said i don't have the extra room for spindle thrust bearings unless i mill some off the axle. BUT it''s a thought as that same thrust bearing might fit if i milled off .025-035 off the axle .

timcasbolt · Apr 11, 2023

I took a flap disk to the casting to make room for the retainer clip. Only needed a little extra clearance.

Greenfrog · Apr 12, 2023

Yes. Those washers that all are referring to here, are part of the bearing. Polished, smooth, race type. Part of the bearing.

the tractor vet · Apr 19, 2023

Yea i did it , the thrust bearing was 4 dollars and seventy cents and had a ni lock nut . , I have not got the steering back in the tractor yet as i am making changes to the wiring harness with the additon of four way L E D flasher on the ft and back along with rear L E D work lights , Next is a back up beeper to annoy the neighbors .

Greenfrog · Apr 20, 2023

I have since checked the front spindle assembly on my two cub cadets. There is no room, no way, to slip a thrust bearing in the bottom. Wish there was! I could grind off about 2mm to make room, but that might be hard to do. Looks like about 1/2 bolt in a sleeve bushing inside of that casting. Trying to find a thrust bearing to fit this I bet would be difficult.
Suggestions. ??

DoubleO7 · Apr 20, 2023

I am thinking you would have to mill off the bottom of the axle housing to accommodate the thrust bearing and races.
Or spot mill a recess in the lower spindle arm instead.

wore out · Apr 20, 2023

(quoted from post at 16:26:40 04/20/23) I have since checked the front spindle assembly on my two cub cadets. There is no room, no way, to slip a thrust bearing in the bottom. Wish there was! I could grind off about 2mm to make room, but that might be hard to do. Looks like about 1/2 bolt in a sleeve bushing inside of that casting. Trying to find a thrust bearing to fit this I bet would be difficult.
Suggestions. ??

McMaster is one source, https://www.mcmaster.com/products/needle-bearings/needle-roller-thrust-bearings/

Dimensions are listed, HOPEFULLY it won't to too much re-work to make room on the spindles.

Drill and tap a vertical hole into the top of the spindles and use a capscrew and fender washer to keep the spindles from dropping out.

DoubleO7 · Apr 20, 2023

Maybe a machine shop could build up the bearing surfaces and then turn/grind back to stock diameter?
Or turn/grind to a size that will allow a speedy sleeve to get back to stock diameter?

steve_in_mo · Apr 21, 2023

Where do you order them?

Poor mans power steering: needle thrust bearings

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