Skip to content

Cub Cadet Steering Problems And Troubleshooting Guide

Most would agree when I say that steering is the most critical element of a vehicle. Whether you are driving a car or an SUV, if the vehicle handles poorly or has issues with the steering system, you will not be able to get any decent use out of it.

Not only that, but issues in the steering system can also make it dangerous for you to drive the vehicle. Unfortunately, steering system problems are also present in commercial vehicles such as lawnmowers or utility tractors. And similar to cars, steering issues can make your lawnmowers entirely unusable.

For instance, if your lawnmower’s steering doesn’t work properly, you will not be able to maneuver tight corners in your lawn around small trees.

This means you won’t be able to trim the grass properly and will be left with sections that you must mow manually later on.

Even when you are using a mower by a top-rated brand such as Cub Cadet, you will often find some steering problems.

While this is more common in machines that don’t get regular maintenance, old age, and regular use can also cause some steering issues to come up over time.

Thankfully steering problems in a lawnmower can be fixed as long as you know what you are doing.

In this article, I will discuss some of the common steering problems you might face in your Cub Cadet lawnmower and help you understand how you can restore control of your vehicle. So, let’s get started.

Cub Cadet Steering Problems

Common Steering Issues In Cub Cadet Steering And How To Fix Them

If you have been using your lawnmower for a while and don’t take care of it as often as you should, it’s natural for some steering issues to come up now and then. Don’t let that alarm you, though, as just about any issue in the steering can be fixed with the right know-how.

And that’s what I am here for. So, let’s talk about a few common steering problems you might face with your Cub Cadet vehicle and discuss the troubleshooting steps.

1. Stiff Steering Wheel

Stiff Steering Wheel

The most common complaint that people have with their Cub Cadet steering after a while of using it is that the steering feels absurdly stiff. Needless to say, this means you will have a hard time turning the steering wheel and won’t be able to guide your vehicle across the terrain easily.

There can be a couple of different reasons behind this problem. Here are the most likely suspects –

  • The steering system doesn’t have enough fluid.
  • The steering gear is damaged.
  • The bushings inside the steering wheel are damaged.
  • The power steering pump can’t generate proper pressure

So, to fix it, you first want to lubricate the steering shaft properly and look for any damaged bushings or other components near it.

You want to pay close attention to the steering arms that are hooked up to the steering shaft. Make sure that when the arms are turning, there are no blockages in the way.

Any worn-out components you find around the steering shaft need to be replaced. Once you have replaced the damaged parts and cleaned out the system, lubricate the shaft as needed. This should get rid of the stiff steering issue in your vehicle.

2. Steering Wheel Feels Loose

Steering Wheel Feels Loose

Instead of the wheel feeling too stiff, some people report that the steering wheel in their Cub Cadet mower feels excessively loose. Because of getting too much free play in the steering wheel, they can’t make small turns with their vehicle.

This leads to awkward movement in the mower as the balance feels off. To fix this issue, you’ll first need to know what’s causing it. Here are the probable reasons behind the problem –

  • The steering gears got loose
  • Wheel bearings came off
  • Damage to the steering linkage arms.

As you can see, the main reason behind this problem is typically a loose component in the steering system of your lawnmower. So start with a quick inspection of the steering box. Check the components and bearings in the steering gear and tighten them as you see fit.

If any of the parts seem worn, you can replace them pretty easily. After checking the box, check the linkage arms in the system. Tighten them if needed.

However, if the arms seem damaged and they move on their own, you will need to replace them. Sometimes they might require some adjustments, too, to fix the problem.

3. Tractor Drifts To The Sides

Tractor Drifts To The Sides

A weird issue that some people face with their Cub Cadet lawnmower is that instead of driving straight, their vehicle drifts to one side slightly. This might not seem like much of a big deal at first.

But over time, as the issue gets worse, your overall experience with the mower takes a massive hit. So, it’s best to deal with the problem as soon as it presents itself. The common reasons behind this problem are –

  • Worn components in the steering system
  • Misaligned steering arms
  • The suspension height is not adjusted properly.

The first thing you should do to fix the problem is to check the suspension height. If the suspension height is off, then you need to readjust it following the guidelines in your operator’s manual. With some luck, this should fix your problem right away.

However, if that’s not the case, then you need to start looking for worn components. Check the bushings and bearings around the gearbox shaft and replace any damaged parts you may find.

After that, inspect the alignment of the steering arms. If the arms look misaligned, you need to readjust them. To do that, unscrew the bolts in the control arms with a wrench.

Then move them into the proper position and retighten the bolts. This should get rid of the drifting issue with your vehicle.

4. The Steering Wheel Vibrates Excessively

The Steering Wheel Vibrates Excessively

While it’s natural to feel a small bit of vibration in your lawnmower when you operate it, when the vibration feels excessive, that can indicate a major problem.

However, excessive vibration can come from not only the steering system but also from a faulty transmission system or mower deck.

So first, you need to make sure that the rest of your lawnmower is working perfectly. But once you determine that the steering system is the root cause of the vibration, you will need to figure out how you can fix it.

Here are some of the reasons why your lawnmower’s steering wheel might be vibrating excessively –

  • The wheel assemblies are unbalanced
  • Dirt or debris stuck in the rims
  • The rims or the tires are damaged
  • Worn out components

Now that you know about the potential reasons behind the problem, you can start to fix it. Start with a quick inspection of the wheels and replace any damaged or bent reams you find. If the wheels are not aligned, you need to reset the alignment.

You also want to check for damaged components in the steering gearbox as well as look for any stuck dirt or debris inside it.

After cleaning out all the blockages and realigning the wheel assembly, you should not notice any weird vibrations in the steering wheel of your lawnmower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have looked at the common steering problems and solutions let’s talk about some of the questions that people have about the Cub Cadet lawnmowers. This will help you get a better idea of the quality that the brand offers with its vehicles.

1. Are Cub Cadet lawnmowers good for residential use?

Cub Cadet is not exactly a new brand that just hit the market. They have been in operation since the early sixties and have built up an excellent reputation for themselves over the years. If you want a riding lawnmower for your front lawn, Cub Cadet is a reliable brand to go with.

2. Do Cub Cadet lawnmowers come with power steering?

Not all of them. If you want power steering in your lawnmower, then make sure you do some research on which Cub Cadet models come with this feature. The GSX model, for instance, is a great choice that comes with electric power steering.

Final Thoughts

Cub Cadet is a fantastic brand, and the lawnmowers that they manufacture are a thing of beauty. While you might face some issues with the steering system or any other section of your vehicle, don’t let that make you question the credibility of the brand.

The truth is, these issues can come up in any lawnmower, regardless of the brand. And if you don’t service your mower regularly, it will start showing these problems sooner or later.

So, to prevent having to deal with steering issues, you should regularly inspect and service your Cub Cadet lawnmower.

I hope my in-depth discussion on the Cub Cadet steering problems could help you fix any issues you were having with your vehicle. Good luck!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *