Cub Cadet LTX 1046 M LTX 1042 KW Operator's Manual - Page 23

Steering Adjustment If the tractor turns tighter in one direction than the other, or if the ball joints are being replaced due to damage or wear, the steering drag links may need to be adjusted. Adjust the drag links so that equal lengths of each are threaded into the ball joint on the left side and the ball joint on the right side: 1. Remove the hex nut below the ball joint. See Figure 6-6. Ball Joint Drag Link Hex Nut Off-Season Storage Before storing the machine for an extended period: • Refer to the Maintenance Schedule earlier in this section and perform all items in the Prior to Storing column. • Clean the exterior surfaces of the tractor. • Service the engine as instructed in the seperate engine manual. • Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need to be treated with a gasoline stabilizer such as STA-BIL® and engines stored over 90 days need to be drained of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor, and other fuel system components, serviced or replaced. WARNING: Drain fuel only into anapproved container outdoors, away from an open flame. Allow engine to cool. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition prior to draining fuel. • Store the tractor in a clean, dry place. WARNING: Never store the machine or fuel container indoors where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as on water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Figure 6-6 2. Thread the ball joint inward to shorten the drag link. Thread the ball joint outward to lengthen the drag link. 3. Replace the hex nut after proper adjustment is achieved. NOTE: Threading the ball joints too far onto the drag links will cause the front tires to "toe-in" too far. Proper toe-in is between 1⁄16" and 5⁄16". 4. Front tire toe-in can be measured as follows: a. Place the steering wheel in position for straight ahead travel. b. In front of the axle, measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim. Note the distance. c. Behind the axle, measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim. Note the distance. NOTE: The measurement taken in front of the axle should be between 1⁄16" and 5⁄16" less than the measurement taken behind the axle. Section 6 - Maintenance & Adjustments 23