Hello, I have read that some here have attempted this and have a question that wasn't addressed, or, maybe it was and it got lost in my head because I've read so much on here about this subject. Also, what I read was about a year old and about a different model. My mower is a Craftsman 917.270770. I know that the steering shaft assembly and the sector gear need to be replaced. It turns 1 way fine and not very well the other way and it clicks loudly. It had been clicking at the end of last summer and ignored it, thinking it would go away. My questions are: Do I need to remove the mower deck first? Whether or not I have to remove the mower deck, do I then remove only the retaining ring, slide the pittman shaft assembly out and raise the steering assembly out? Any help you can give is appreciated! I don't know if it's okay to put this on here or not, but here's a picture of what I'm talking about: http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b.../drivegear.jpg

 

Take the steering rod off, remove the 4 bolts that hold the bracket in place with a 9/16 wrench, and lift the assy up into the dash area. From there you can pop the C clip off and disassemble the assembly and replace the parts needed.

 

Thank you so much for your quick reply, cheese. Are these 4 bolts that hold the bracket in place and are removed with a 9/16 wrench the ones you can see upside down from on top and are only accessible underneath by removing the mower deck?

 

I do it without removing the deck and using an air ratchet or socket wrench, but you can remove the deck if it makes it easier for you.