John Deere S2546 Steering Link Installation

Raise the front of the mower using a jack. Place jack stands beneath the chassis on both sides of the mower, just rearward from the front axle and steering assembly. Set the steering wheel straight on the mower, regardless of which way the tires are facing. Attaching the drag link will allow you to align the front tires with the steering wheel.

Move your body back so you can access the bottom of the steering shaft, where it protrudes through the bottom chassis deck. You will see the steering gear butted up against the bottom gears on the steering shaft (hemispherical fan shaped part). Attach the "L" shaped end of the drag link upward through the extension to the right of the steering gear. Install a washer onto the protruding drag link tip, then install a nut temporarily with your fingers.

Turn the forward-facing end of the drag link counterclockwise, until it lines up with the tie rod arm mounting hole. Use a pair of pliers if needed. The tie rod arm mounting hole is on the right-hand side of the mower, just inward from the front wheel. Push the drag link downward through the steering arm when you have the hole aligned.

Tighten the nut onto the drag link at the steering gear extension, with an open-end wrench. Turn the nut so that it is snug, then turn the nut 1/2-turn farther to approximate the required 20 foot-pounds of torque.

Tighten the nut on the drag link at the tie rod arm with an open-end wrench. Turn the nut until it is snug, then turn the nut 1/2-turn farther. Insert a new cotter pin through the drag link in the front, and bend the cotter pin in place with a pair of pliers.

Double-check your torque on both ends of the drag link with the open-end wrench. Check the steering gear extension nut at the top of the gear shaft, to make sure it is tightened. Check both tie rod ends to make sure they are tightened as well. The tie rod is one piece that extends from just behind the drag link on the right hand side, to the same spot on the left-hand side of the mower. All hardware should be tightened to approximately 20 foot-pounds.