YardMachine700SeriesRidersRepairManual

Steering and Front Axle

Right Front Axle Removal

1. Raise the tractor and support it with a jack stand.

2. Remove the wheel and tire as described above.

3. Remove the cotter pin that fastens the fixed tie rod to the axle. See Figure 3.5.

4. Loosen the clamp bolt that secures the steering arm to the square-section at the top of the axle using a pair of 1/2” wrenches, and lifting the arm off.

NOTE: Note the spacer below the steering arm. Slide the axle from.pivot bar.

Removing the axle allows access to the upper and lower flange bearing and side axle cap. Inspect these componentsforwearordamageandreplaceifnecessary. See Figure 3.6.

Assemble in reverse order of disassembly.

General Information

Continued operation with worn bearings will cause rapid tire wear. If the bushing wears through completely, the pivot bar will be damaged.

Replace any single-use fasteners (push-on caps and cotter pins) with new ones on reassembly.

Lubricate all friction surfaces with grease such as MTD P/N 737-0300A upon reassembly.

Tighten the steering arm clamp bolt to a torque of 200260 in-lb. (22.6 Nm-29.4 Nm). Replace the nylon ring lock nut if it has lost its retaining capabilities.

Pivot Bar

Pivot bars are not normally replaced in the service life of a tractor. The most common reasons for replacing a pivot bar are:

• Damage caused by dropping the tractor (e.g. while loading or unloading from a truck), or collision with an object.

• Damage caused by continued use after the axle bushings have deteriorated.

NOTE: Various hood and engine combinations may require using slightly different procedures than listed below. The most common deviations will be on the muffler and muffler guard removal and the hood pivot bracket removal. These instructions demonstrate removal of a stamped steel pivot used on most riders. Procedures for replacing cast iron pivot bars are similar.