Thanks for sharing. I seem to learn something new each time. There may be a Thrust Bearing kit you can use ,which helps the longevity of the mower. CS.. ..
Thank you for uploading this video! Even though I grease ANYTHING with a zerk fitting on my MTD(yardman) 46" mower, after 16 seasons I think it's time to do a front end 'tune-up'! CHEERS!!
HI Hester! Thanks so much for posting this! You sound like I feel on the subject. It is sort of meditative work and slightly rewarding but there has to be more to life! My old 22hp Toro is similar to this craftsman. The engines are wonderful if you keep them clean and maintained. I am about to stick on some bearing as the front wheels are starting to wobble and I have kept the unit greased. But the deck will not last much longer for me. Mine has about 210 hours on it and the spindle is wearing the last time I looked! So I am seeing more work to be done here!
very good but if you want to go to the next level there are roller bearings made that will fit on the bottom of the spindle they call it poor mans power steering it takes strain off the tie rod back thru to the column and I would not put grease on the tie rod it holds dirt and wears that bushing out faster the spindle tube and wheel ,yes but not the tie rod there is also a kit made to put ball bearings in the wheel hub instead of bushings that wont wear out the bottom of the spindle shaft and if you really want to get carried away go to a good hardware store and buy brass bushings instead of plastic that does require filing or grinding the top of the spindle tube a little to get the retaining clip back on top but is worth the effort
Hi Hester, nice video, you should also look at the “poor man’s power steering” video on UA-cam with the flat washers and roller bearings for noticeably easier steering that’s a really cool upgrade
but now its metal on metal, great video you did it all for me, my turn, but I forgot that would be a lot of weight just on the bushing, Your Right!my bad
Funny you say that, this is actually my buddy’s mower and this year he did both of those upgrades to it and he loves it! Says it steers like a Cadillac! I have a kit on order now for mine. I personally haven’t felt one with this upgrade yet, Have you tried it yourself?
Sometimes it can be tricky finding the right parts. It helps when you know what the old one looks like and can compare to pictures online. Best of luck to you 👍🏻
I'm pretty sure you are supposed to line up the flat spot on the bushing with the grease fitting so grease can get to the axle and not just cover the grease hole with the bushing. ( not like they put much grease on it to start with anyway)
If you look at 5:26, the hole for the grease fitting actually falls directly in between the two wheel bushings. And it actually protrudes into the hole so there’s no way to block off grease to the wheel. The flat spots on the bushings are there because they also fit into a different style rim that uses those flats for alignment.
Hi Hester- I appreciate the video a lot since it looks like this is the same as my DGS6500. However, I cannot find a part listing for the plastic bushings that hold the weld spindle in place at the end of the axle. Where did you get them? I have a lot of slop where the weld spindle goes through the axle. Do you have a part number you can share? Thanks!
I believe I got this kit off of Amazon. There are a couple different part numbers out there. I found it easier just to match up visually with the ones I needed replacing. I will look back at my notes and see if I can find a part number.👍🏻
Replace the bushings with with bearings. Kind of curious why not sn upgrade to a more permanent solution? Also, I'm wondering why you mentioned getting a little dirt in there and you seemed to be not too worried about it, then while installing the dust cap you mention it was important to keep the dust out. I believe you pre-contaminated it then you sealed it in?.. I guess it's easy and cheap enough to not worry about being in a sterile environment or being mindful of planting abrasive material contaminates and them sealing it in.
You will never be able to keep dirt out of there because there are no rubber seals like on a car, but some protection is better than no protection. At the end of the day it is a design flaw.
@@hester781 I believe that about the design flaw. It does fail rather quickly and easily. I'm wondering if you can to your local hardware store and get sealed bearings as bushings heat up quicker, fail more often than bearing, would be a rougher ride. I'm going for the sealed bearings in the wheel hubs not sure if I can bearings to replace bushings on the other end of steering spindle. Good video. I appreciate it
@@noway7910 they do make needle bearings for the bottom of the spindle which I’ve been told make the steering much easier to turn. But my buddy has already gone through 3 sets in 2 seasons. They are easy enough to change but it’s still annoying. For the wheel bushings I know there are some kits that sell caged bearings to replace the oil lite bushings, personally I haven’t tried them yet but “taryl fixes all” UA-cam channel has made a video or two on replacement options that look interesting.
Thanks for posting this video. I'm working on a neighbor's Craftsman lawn tractor that needs (among many other things) front wheel bushings. I'm considering going with one of the kits that replaces the wheel bushings with sealed bearings. Had any experience with them?
I have used those in the past, I am waiting to see how well they hold up overtime. I did have some issues with them not fitting in the wheels very tightly, and slightly sloppy on the spindle
Ron A Hi Hester781. Would appreciate it greatly if you would post a link an or part numbers for the bushings. I am having the same problem but can't find bushings to fix the front end on my tractor. Thanks for a great video.
You are correct! I’ve actually been experimenting with bearings on my own tractor and so far they have been great. This was my friend’s tractor and I used his supplied parts
Thanks for sharing. I seem to learn something new each time.
There may be a Thrust Bearing kit you can use ,which helps the longevity of the mower. CS.. ..
Thank you! Yes they definitely make a kit, I'll have to try it 👍🏻
remember when all bushings were made of brass. good times love the content
Agreed! I would love if someone offered brass bushings as a replacement kit.
@@hester781 make them? some brass pipe?
If I had a lathe I would definitely experiment, it wouldn’t be that hard at all
@@hester781 bronze flange bearing , these should work should work
@@graymouser7649 it won't work well. You need bronze oil bushings.
This is still the only video! Thank you. I was wondering what bushings to get.
Glad I was able to help!
Thank you for uploading this video! Even though I grease ANYTHING with a zerk fitting on my MTD(yardman) 46" mower, after 16 seasons I think it's time to do a front end 'tune-up'! CHEERS!!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for a great video...Always nice to see it done before I go in myself..
Glad you enjoyed the video!
HI Hester! Thanks so much for posting this! You sound like I feel on the subject. It is sort of meditative work and slightly rewarding but there has to be more to life! My old 22hp Toro is similar to this craftsman. The engines are wonderful if you keep them clean and maintained. I am about to stick on some bearing as the front wheels are starting to wobble and I have kept the unit greased. But the deck will not last much longer for me. Mine has about 210 hours on it and the spindle is wearing the last time I looked! So I am seeing more work to be done here!
Definitely a great hobby to relax and unwind (when things go smoothly lol)
Thanks for the video, I am working on my mower now and this was very helpful.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
very good but if you want to go to the next level there are roller bearings made that will fit on the bottom of the spindle they call it poor mans power steering it takes strain off the tie rod back thru to the column and I would not put grease on the tie rod it holds dirt and wears that bushing out faster the spindle tube and wheel ,yes but not the tie rod there is also a kit made to put ball bearings in the wheel hub instead of bushings that wont wear out the bottom of the spindle shaft and if you really want to get carried away go to a good hardware store and buy brass bushings instead of plastic that does require filing or grinding the top of the spindle tube a little to get the retaining clip back on top but is worth the effort
I have seen those bearing kits, definitely worth trying out 👍🏻
@@hester781 Just did it on my Dads 25 year old LT1000 for Fathers day. New bushings, axle and Thrust Needle Roller Bearings with Washers.
Great video, thank you!
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍🏻
Hi Hester, nice video, you should also look at the “poor man’s power steering” video on UA-cam with the flat washers and roller bearings for noticeably easier steering that’s a really cool upgrade
Thank you! I think I’ve seen a video or two with that mod! It looks like it made a huge difference! awesome idea
but now its metal on metal, great video you did it all for me, my turn, but I forgot that would be a lot of weight just on the bushing, Your Right!my bad
No worries my friend 👍🏻
YOU SHOULDVE UPGRADED TO BEARING OVER BUSHINGS AS WELL AS POOR MANS POWER STEERING BEARINGS.
Funny you say that, this is actually my buddy’s mower and this year he did both of those upgrades to it and he loves it! Says it steers like a Cadillac! I have a kit on order now for mine. I personally haven’t felt one with this upgrade yet, Have you tried it yourself?
@@hester781 yes sir! get ready to be happy!!! lol
My exact problem. But I can't find the bushings. I've got a Husky, but it looks exactly like your Craftsman so I'll look for them on E-Bay.
Sometimes it can be tricky finding the right parts. It helps when you know what the old one looks like and can compare to pictures online. Best of luck to you 👍🏻
I'm pretty sure you are supposed to line up the flat spot on the bushing with the grease fitting so grease can get to the axle and not just cover the grease hole with the bushing. ( not like they put much grease on it to start with anyway)
If you look at 5:26, the hole for the grease fitting actually falls directly in between the two wheel bushings. And it actually protrudes into the hole so there’s no way to block off grease to the wheel. The flat spots on the bushings are there because they also fit into a different style rim that uses those flats for alignment.
I have a troy built it dont even have a zerk fitting to greasean im having a hard time even finding those
That’s aggravating, I don’t know why they all don’t have grease fittings
What I would do is drill, tap and install grease zert, need to take it a part anyway so make it count 😊
GOOD VIDEO. THXS
No problem! 👍🏻
Hi Hester- I appreciate the video a lot since it looks like this is the same as my DGS6500. However, I cannot find a part listing for the plastic bushings that hold the weld spindle in place at the end of the axle. Where did you get them? I have a lot of slop where the weld spindle goes through the axle. Do you have a part number you can share? Thanks!
I believe I got this kit off of Amazon. There are a couple different part numbers out there. I found it easier just to match up visually with the ones I needed replacing. I will look back at my notes and see if I can find a part number.👍🏻
Replace the bushings with with bearings. Kind of curious why not sn upgrade to a more permanent solution?
Also, I'm wondering why you mentioned getting a little dirt in there and you seemed to be not too worried about it, then while installing the dust cap you mention it was important to keep the dust out.
I believe you pre-contaminated it then you sealed it in?.. I guess it's easy and cheap enough to not worry about being in a sterile environment or being mindful of planting abrasive material contaminates and them sealing it in.
You will never be able to keep dirt out of there because there are no rubber seals like on a car, but some protection is better than no protection. At the end of the day it is a design flaw.
@@hester781 I believe that about the design flaw. It does fail rather quickly and easily.
I'm wondering if you can to your local hardware store and get sealed bearings as bushings heat up quicker, fail more often than bearing, would be a rougher ride.
I'm going for the sealed bearings in the wheel hubs not sure if I can bearings to replace bushings on the other end of steering spindle.
Good video. I appreciate it
@@noway7910 they do make needle bearings for the bottom of the spindle which I’ve been told make the steering much easier to turn. But my buddy has already gone through 3 sets in 2 seasons. They are easy enough to change but it’s still annoying. For the wheel bushings I know there are some kits that sell caged bearings to replace the oil lite bushings, personally I haven’t tried them yet but “taryl fixes all” UA-cam channel has made a video or two on replacement options that look interesting.
@@hester781 I ordered a set of the bearings. Thank you for making the video. It got me going Down all sorts rabbit holes
@@noway7910 been there many times my friend!
Thanks for posting this video. I'm working on a neighbor's Craftsman lawn tractor that needs (among many other things) front wheel bushings. I'm considering going with one of the kits that replaces the wheel bushings with sealed bearings. Had any experience with them?
I have used those in the past, I am waiting to see how well they hold up overtime. I did have some issues with them not fitting in the wheels very tightly, and slightly sloppy on the spindle
Can you post a link for the kit you used on this tractor?
I just looked back in my notes and unfortunately I can’t find the part numbers. However I believe I just matched them visually to the ones I had
@@hester781 I found it! Thank you though!
Ron A
Hi Hester781. Would appreciate it greatly if you would post a link an or part numbers for the bushings. I am having the same problem but can't find bushings to fix the front end on my tractor.
Thanks for a great video.
I can’t find the part numbers for the ones I bought. If you use the term “craftsman front axle bushing” it should pop up on Amazon
@@hester781 This worked well
did you ever put Wafer Bearings between that botton gap?
If memory serves yes there is a thin metal washer that goes on the spindle then the plastic bushing 👍🏻
So the bushings is the cause of lose steering? My wheel turns but not the tires
If your steering wheel turns but your tires don’t you most likely have a worn or broken steering gear in between the column and the rack
hi, why don't you install bearings instead of bushing, it's much better and it will last much longer, that's what I did and it runs much better
You are correct! I’ve actually been experimenting with bearings on my own tractor and so far they have been great. This was my friend’s tractor and I used his supplied parts
shimmed mine for up n down slop,then e clip
I was on the fence about shims, but I think you have the right idea, I’m going to try it myself
Plastic bushings are rubbish
I agree, I’d love to see someone offer something like a bronze upgrade
Yep they make nearly all profits of cheap plastic junk is the reason America will destroy itself 😢😢😢