Steering problems and parts questions - Craftsman riding mower

I have a Craftsman 917.270781 and the steering has been messed up lately. I've looked at the steering assembly diagram that Sears has online, but I can't tell which parts I'll need.

The tires still rotate, but the steering wheel itself has no influence on the direction of the mower. (My husband's been following behind it on foot and kicking the tires to get it to cover the spots that need to be mowed, haha.) The steering wheel will do a 360 degree rotation and never catch.

I know for sure that we'll need a new steering shaft assembly and probably a new wheel adapter. Could anyone suggest anything else we might need?

I'd hate to order a box full of parts and miss something crucial.

 

Take it apart & check it out to be sure to get what you need.. Generally sears (in my area anyway) is next day delivery to your door... It's kinda hard to tell you what you need if it's not apart & we can't see it...but if you pull it apart & look close @ the parts breakdown,, I'm sure you'll figure it out.... Roger

 

A common problem on these mowers is the steering support shaft will crack causing the steering gear to loose contact with the sector shaft.

here is a parts diagram. #19.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...9010355&blt=06

 

We planned to take it apart and see what exactly we needed. I posted in hopes that someone might be able to tell us from experience what not to forget to replace.

 

Thank you! This is exactly the type of reply I was looking for. When we take it apart, I'll make sure we check out that piece.

Might just replace it anyways.. better to be safe than sorry, especially since we're going to go ahead and order a replacement sector gear.