Steering Bushing

[71_Bronco 1,072]

When working on my Lawn Ranger this weekend, I noticed the plastic bushing in the gas tank was shot (part number 1539).

 

What's the purpose of this bushing to be plastic? Can I swap with a bronze one of the same size? Or is that not a great idea?

 

I also noticed that when the gas tank is on, there is a bit of up-and-down play in the steering shaft (but the teeth still engage the fan gear). There is a stop collar on the shaft to make sure the shaft doesn't come all the way out, but it's almost like it's lower than it should be.

 

Would it be a good idea to add a spacer or washers between the collar and gas tank? To minimize the up-and-down play?

 

Thanks!

[Handy Don 12,662]

3 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said:

When working on my Lawn Ranger this weekend, I noticed the plastic bushing in the gas tank was shot (part number 1539).

 

What's the purpose of this bushing to be plastic? Can I swap with a bronze one of the same size? Or is that not a great idea?

 

I also noticed that when the gas tank is on, there is a bit of up-and-down play in the steering shaft (but the teeth still engage the fan gear). There is a stop collar on the shaft to make sure the shaft doesn't come all the way out, but it's almost like it's lower than it should be.

 

Would it be a good idea to add a spacer or washers between the collar and gas tank? To minimize the up-and-down play?

 

Thanks!

Yes on minimizing play. 

On my horses, the stop collar has a grub screw that lets you re-position it properly. Some other models had a cotter pin and used a set of shim washers to do the adjusting.

[Achto 27,918]

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Yes on minimizing play. 

On my horses, the stop collar has a grub screw that lets you re-position it properly. Some other models had a cotter pin and used a set of shim washers to do the adjusting.

 

A brass bushing will work just fine to replace the plastic one. This is what I do with all of my tractors.