Lining up the front wheels

[ShawnAgne]

Bumped the Cub with my 300 mower deck when I was backing it in. I noticed the wheels weren't straight as the left one was off. I know how to loosen them up but is there a way to make sure they're straight or do you just eyeball?

Thanks in advance.

[Glen]

Hi,
You may have bent something, but I would measure it first, to see what it measures.

Have the front wheels straight ahead, and use a tape measure between 2 places on the inside of the front wheels, at the front, and rear of the wheels.
2 people is easier, to hold the tape in position.
Pull the tape tight, so it isn't sagging down.
You can write down the measurements so you remember them easier.

Below is a page from the 1955 Cub operator's manual telling how to set the front wheel toe in.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... age-51.jpg

If you need to change the toe in, use this info below.

If you change the adjustment of the screw in part at D in the above pic, to adjust the toe in, or other reason, don't turn them in too tight. The balls on the steering arms usually wear more in the straight ahead position, so if you tighten the adjustment so there is no play, the steering may bind when you turn to the right or left. It can lock the steering so it won't turn fully both ways.
I jack up the front at the center, so the front tires are barely off the ground, then you can turn the steering wheel freely from side to side, then you can adjust them so the steering turns freely.
The joints may be a little loose in the straight ahead position, but that is how they are, if they are worn.

[Eugene]

1/4" toe in, half way up wheel. Cut two pieces of wood, 2 x 4's, same length, about half length of the wheel height. Two additional thin sticks of wood each a bit longer than half the space between wheels. Set the 2x4's against the inside front of each wheel. Place one end of the two thinner sticks againt the inside of each wheel on top of the wood pieces. Mark the length on one stick. It's a Polish micrometer.

Same procedure for the rear. Adjust the toe in.

[Jim Becker]

A pair of yard sticks works fine.

[Eugene]

A pair of yard sticks works fine.

I didn't want to overly complicate the process. Yard sticks are getting hard to find. Businesses use to give them out as advertisement.

[ShawnAgne]

I teach Physics and Physical Science so I have plenty of yardsticks and meter sticks in classroom.

THANKS!!

[Dale Finch]

Check to see if the steering arm is centered (I just eyeball that), then check toe-in. It's possible you bent the steering knuckle arm on the side you hit.

[Clemsonfor]

Bumped the Cub with my 300 mower deck when I was backing it in. I noticed the wheels weren't straight as the left one was off. I know how to loosen them up but is there a way to make sure they're straight or do you just eyeball?

Thanks in advance.

Tape measure on a same place on each tire...like center rib to center rib. Just like an old school alignment. Measure front and back distance...you want a little toe in.