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First off, I apologize for the pic, as it's not the best. Should explain it well enough though.
On my 1525, there was about 1/8" play in the steering column. While at a buddies machine shop, we took a piece of 2" bar stock, and cut off a piece about 3/16" long. On the lathe, we drilled a 5/8" hole in the center. I then drilled 4 holes for screws, and countersunk them.
I then scuffed up the black plastic where the thick "washer" would sit, and cleaned it with alcohol to remove any release or wax residue. I then positioned the steel piece as close to the middle as possible, and drilled 4 holes through the dash. Then I spread a fine bead of silicone grease around the steering column- where it meets the dash. I then mixed a pea sized amount of marine epoxy, and spread a real thin layer on the dash itself. From there, I positioned the washer, then 4 screws with a drop of blue Loc-Tite through the top. From underneath, its just a washer and nut on each screw.
The steel "washer" I think will be what wears, as I would imagine the column is hardened. If that is the case, that washer is going to wear alot slower than the plastic.
I have had the washer thing in my toolbox for over a month, but just couldnt start hackin' on my new tractor. After I broke the p-brake, I decided to do it. I have thought about it quite a bit as for how to do it; epoxy rather than fiberglass because 'glass will not bond well to metals. Marine epoxy rather than hobby epoxy, as it is a bit more flexible in the cured state. Loc-Tite and washers rather than lock washers, as I did not want the lock washers "tweaking" the plastic which could seperate the bond between plastic and steel. Silicone grease so the epoxy doesnt bond to the steering column, etc.
Anyway, most would probably say Im crazy for going through this just to eliminate a little steering slop, but I like it. I cut the grass yesterday, and not only does it feel rock-solid, the parking brake seems to be fixed as well.
Greg
On my 1525, there was about 1/8" play in the steering column. While at a buddies machine shop, we took a piece of 2" bar stock, and cut off a piece about 3/16" long. On the lathe, we drilled a 5/8" hole in the center. I then drilled 4 holes for screws, and countersunk them.
I then scuffed up the black plastic where the thick "washer" would sit, and cleaned it with alcohol to remove any release or wax residue. I then positioned the steel piece as close to the middle as possible, and drilled 4 holes through the dash. Then I spread a fine bead of silicone grease around the steering column- where it meets the dash. I then mixed a pea sized amount of marine epoxy, and spread a real thin layer on the dash itself. From there, I positioned the washer, then 4 screws with a drop of blue Loc-Tite through the top. From underneath, its just a washer and nut on each screw.
The steel "washer" I think will be what wears, as I would imagine the column is hardened. If that is the case, that washer is going to wear alot slower than the plastic.
I have had the washer thing in my toolbox for over a month, but just couldnt start hackin' on my new tractor. After I broke the p-brake, I decided to do it. I have thought about it quite a bit as for how to do it; epoxy rather than fiberglass because 'glass will not bond well to metals. Marine epoxy rather than hobby epoxy, as it is a bit more flexible in the cured state. Loc-Tite and washers rather than lock washers, as I did not want the lock washers "tweaking" the plastic which could seperate the bond between plastic and steel. Silicone grease so the epoxy doesnt bond to the steering column, etc.
Anyway, most would probably say Im crazy for going through this just to eliminate a little steering slop, but I like it. I cut the grass yesterday, and not only does it feel rock-solid, the parking brake seems to be fixed as well.
Greg
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