How to Adjust Craftsman Mower Front Links to the Same Length

Park the Craftsman mower over a level surface and lower the deck to the cutting position. Turn off the mower and take the key out of the ignition.

Loosen the jam nut on both front links with a wrench. There are two nuts on the front side of the link plate on each link. The first nut is the jam nut.

Rotate the rear nut behind the link plate on each link counterclockwise with the wrench. Turn each nut three complete revolutions.

Measure from the front of the link plate to the end of the link with a tape measure on each link.

Turn the front adjusting nut clockwise with a wrench on the link that is the shorter of the two. Measure the shorter link and continue turning the nut clockwise until it is the same length as the opposite link.

Measure the distance between the ground and the front bottom of the deck under each link. Take the measurement between the ground and the rear of the deck on each side.

Adjust both links so that the front of the deck is 1/2 inch lower on both sides than the rear of the deck. Tighten the rear nut on both links once the adjustment is made. Tighten the jam nuts on both links as well.