Toe out problem with Sears Garden Tractor mod. 917.28842

Some parts are hard to understand and can frustrate you. While your waiting for an expert to respond you could visit the Sears Home Services website to schedule for service. Your tractor is under warranty for two years. The repair will be at no cost to you.

Thanks. My mower is actually almost 3 years old, but I bought a 3 year service contract. I have already asked a Sears Service Tech to repair it but was told that there are no adjustments, that I just have to live with it and buy tires constantly. Don't feel like I am getting good value for either the purchase of the tractor or the service contract.

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry you are having a problem with the tires. The first check is to make sure the grease zerks on the front axle are pointing forward. If the zerks are pointing backwards, it changes the geometry of the steering and will wear the tires quickly. The next question is if the tractor has been driven on the road more than normal. The steering and the tires are set up for easier steering on the lawn. If used excessively on asphalt or concrete the tires will wear fast. If the grease zerks are pointing in the right direction and the tractor is not driven on the road I recommend having a service technician come out and check the tractor over. You can have it repaired at your home by a Sears technician. Here is a link for the website:

Sears Home Services

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I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you need further assistance on the tractor.

Thank you for using Manage my life.

Mark T.

Mark, Thanks again. The mower has hardly touched hard surfaces, other than being parked in the garage. In any case, when it was on the showroom floor, I took one look at the very obvious toe out and raised the issue. I was assured that this was according to design and that they were not having complaints. When the technician came out to deal with another matter, I raised the toe out issue again, and he just shook his head, and said, "I don't understand it. Not much you can do but buy new tires often."

When I get back home today, I will check the grease jerks and will report back. And if the jerks are pointing forward, I will set up another service call.
robert

I had emailed the manufacture about your tractor. I have good news. They have come up with adjustable draglinks for the tractor. The part numbers are 409599 and 409600 and can be ordered from our website:searspartsdirect.com. This is a left and right sides. These should cure the problem with the tractor. Please let me know if you need further assistance with the tractor.

Mark,

You are a CHAMPION! Many thanks for your kindness.

The jerks were in the proper position, so this info should solve the problem

robert

Mark, I looked up the parts numbers and am looking at $140 in parts +tax and shipping to correct a defective design in the lawn tractor.

As a fellow who seems to know the Sears product line very well, do you know if Sears has a "recall" to fix this faulty design?

There has not been a recall issued on the tractor. You have mentioned you have a 3-year protection plan on an almost 3 year old tractor. I recommend calling in for service on the tractor. If the protection plan is still in effect, there should not be any charges to repair the tractor. Please call 1-800-469-4663 to schedule service. If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Called in for an appointment at 11:45. They have scheduled a service call for this afternoon!

Wow!

Just wanted to report the outcome to close this thread. First of all, thanks again, Mark, for your excellent guidance. Sears tech came out, took one look and said, "The front end needs to be replaced." and that he would order the parts and return. He did just that promptly and courteously.

BTW, the toe out before repair was over an inch. With the new axle and tie rods, the toe in appears normal.

It is an entirely different tractor to drive. Before it took some effort to turn it, now it is a piece of cake to turn. Before the turning radius was about 10-12 feet, now it is much less, probably 3-4 feet.

Great outcome. Thanks again.

Hello Robert, I am glad to hear the tractor is fixed. If you have any other problems in the future, please feel free to ask another question. Thank you for using Manage my life.

I would like to ask Robert if he is happy with his tractor with the new drag links and if it turns good now. Mine, with the tow out turn terrible. I was wondering if it is worth the money, approx $170. to fix it?

hi there i am having a similar issue when i am in reverse and backing up one of my tires the left one mainly tows inward making it hard to steer backing up, i am unsure how old the tractor is as i just bought it used and i am in canada where there is no longer any craftsman dealers