5 Cub Cadet Steering Problems [Incl. Easy Solutions!]

If you own a Cub Cadet mower, you might experience some problems with the steering from time to time. These problems can be pretty frustrating and disruptive when you’re right in the middle of mowing your extensive lawn area.

The most common problems experienced by Cub Cadet owners include difficulty in turning the steering wheel, a loose steering wheel, the misalignment of the steering arms, vibration in the steering, and other power steering problems that a low fluid level can cause.

Let’s discuss each of these problems in more detail and provide you with some solutions on how you can resolve them.

1. Problem: It’s Hard To Turn The Steering Wheel

Sometimes the steering wheel on your Cub Cadet might stiffen up, and you will have difficulty turning it. This is commonly caused by a low fluid level, a damaged gear or steering rack, damage to the inner bushings, or a power steering pump not operating at full pressure.

Solutions

Check the fluid levels and top up if necessary.

• Check the fluid levels and top up if necessary.
• Apply some lubricants to the steering shaft.
• Check for worn parts along the steering shaft including the bushings.
• Check for debris, dirt or grass that may be lodged between the steering arms and the shaft.
• Inspect the bushings that are located at the junction of where the wheels attach to the axles and the steering arms. If these appear to be worn, you will need to replace them.

2. Problem: The Steering Wheel Is Loose

If the steering wheel has become loose, you’ll have great difficulty in directing the mower in the direction that you want it to go. This problem can have a number of causes, such as a loose steering gear or bearing or damaged linkages.

Solutions

• Inspect all the connections to see whether any are loose or damaged.
• Tighten any gears or bearings that may have become loose due to constant vibration.
• Replace any damaged gears or bearings.

3. Problem: The Steering Arms Are Misaligned

A misalignment of the steering arms could manifest itself in several ways. These include a prominent noise when you turn the steering wheel that wasn’t there before, or you feel a vibration in the steering wheel as you try and turn the mower.

You might also notice that the steering wheel is slightly off-center when you’re traveling in a straight line or that the mower keeps wanting to pull to one side.

These problems could result from worn parts, damages caused by minor collisions, or a suspension height that has not been adjusted correctly.

Solutions

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix the misalignment of your steering arms:

• Make sure that the mower is turned off.
• Using a wrench, unscrew the bolts on both control arms.
• Adjust the steering arms from left to right and re-tighten the bolts.
• You might also need to adjust the steering arms from front to back before re-tightening the bolts again.

4. Problem: There’s A Vibration In Your Steering

You might commonly notice a vibration in the steering wheel either when you start the mower or when you put your foot on the brake. There could be some different reasons for this vibration. Your wheel assemblies might be unbalanced; you may have worn or damaged tires or rims, or the suspension or steering components might be worn.

Solutions

• Firstly, you want to check the wheels and tires to see if there is any damage to the rims or damage to the tires. If you happen to find that any of the rims are bent, you should replace them. The same applies to worn or damaged tires.
• Check the wheel alignment. If you’re constantly mowing over rough ground, this can cause your wheels to become misaligned.
• Also check both the suspension or steering components to ensure that there are no worn parts that may need to be replaced.

5. Problem: You Have An Issue With The Power Steering Not Working As It Should

If your power steering is giving you problems, it should be reasonably easy to fix. Common power steering problems include needing a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel, a buzzing in the power steering pump or a squealing noise as you start the mower.

The main causes of power steering problems are a lack of or poor-quality fluid or a blocked filter that is pulling air into the system. Additionally, you may have a leak where the fluid is escaping.

Solutions

• Check the level of the fluid. If it’s low, inspect the hoses and seals to see if there’s a leak.
• Repair any leaks by replacing the seals or hoses and top up the fluid.
• Check the filter and replace it if its blocked or clogged up with dirt and debris.

It’s important to note that you should not operate your mower if the fluid is low.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do Cub Cadet mowers have power steering?

Any of the GSX Cub Cadet models have electronic power steering. This is designed to reduce operator fatigue and lower the torque.

Does the Cub Cadet XT1 have power steering?

This particular model of Cub Cadet does not have power steering.

How long will a Cub Cadet mower last?

In general, a Cub Cadet mower that is well maintained and regularly serviced will last around 500 to 1000 hours.

Conclusion

If you own a Cub Cadet mower and experience some problems with the steering, there are usually easy ways that you can fix this yourself. It’s just a matter of checking the various parts and replacing any that may be worn or damaged. 

It’s also important to remember that if you have a model with power steering, you should keep an eye on the fluid and top it up when necessary. Additionally, keep an eye on the tires and rims and replace any that are damaged as soon as possible.