MTD 500 - Page 7

Cotter Pin
Hex Flange.
Bearing (L)
Flat
Washer (S)
FIGURE 7.—Style A Only
FIGURE 8.
and Hex Nut (M)
FIGURE 9.
7. Style A only— Slip flat washer (E) (IV 4 "
diameter) on the steering shaft immediately
below the cotter pin. Place one plastic hex
flange bearing (L), flat side up, below the
—washer. See figure 7.
8 . Style A— I n sert the steering shaft with
assembled parts through the steering housing
cover. The lower end of the shaft should ex¬
tend through the hole in the front end of the
steering gear support bracket (Ref. No. 12 on
page 26). See figure 8.
Style B — Insert the steering shaft through the
steering housing cover. Place flat washer (P)
and plastic spacer (Q) over end of steering
shaft before inserting the shaft through the
hole in the front end of the steering gear sup¬
port bracket (Ref. No. 12 on page 26).
9. Loosen the hex nut located at the rear of the
steering gear segment (Ref. No. 27 on page 26)
so that the steering gear segment can be
pushed about V4" toward the rear of the rider,
to permit easier assembly of the pinion gear.
Two 9/16" wrenches are required.
10. Place hex flange bearing (L), flat side down,
over the end of the steering shaft, and seat it
into the steering gear support bracket. See
-figure 8.
11. Position pinion gear(O) oversplined collar on
steering shaft. Then place flat washer (N) (5/8"
diameter) on shaft and secure with hex nut (M)
(5/16" I.D.). Do not tighten at this time.
12. Push the steering gear segment (loosened in
step 9) forward toward its original position,
until it engages solidly into the teeth of the
pinion gear. Retighten the nut at the rear of
the steering gear segment. Two 9/16" wren¬
ches are required.
13. Now tighten the hex nut (M) which secures
-the pinion gear. See figure 9.
14. Lubricate the teeth of the pinion gear and
steering gear segment with an automotive
chassis grease.
7