Poor mans power steering

Hmm. So going to McMaster, which should be a decent quality.. Even STAINLESS steel for 44x sized axles (3/4") is $9.38 each McMaster-Carr

Interesting what their site says about the 'steel' versions:
"Steel balls and washers allow these bearings to handle higher loads than bearings with stainless steel components. With an open design, they dissipate heat more efficiently than one-piece thrust ball bearings."
Those are $7 each .. McMaster-Carr

AFAIK I have 'ebay' quality thrust bearings on my 646.. With power steering and with a loader you put much, much, MUCH more load on those bearings than a 44x would ever be able to put on them and mine are holding up just fine. And they've been on the tractor for 5 years now.


my $.02 your mileage may vary..

I have agonized over what Dundee said forever. My conclution though is that the modification is well worth the effort and really improves the steering experience. So whats the difference between Amazon's pricing and others? All about quality of the parts but also about what those parts are. To me it is all great that we are taking the time to even consider this modification let alone its price and longevity too. For me I have now done this mod on two of my GT's why - because it is more than worth the time and expense. I also have the updated axle pin too and yes before you ask I grease all steering joints at least twice a year - do you? I use my GT's (I have three now for mowing and snow blowing/plowing and help my neighbors during the winter too. I have my tires loaded, 250 lb wheel weights on the rear as I snow blow a couple of sloping driveways, etc. So my steering is very important to me...hope yours is too? So for me my issue was do I move yo power steering or not? I have three 446 GT's or not? My options were limited and my funds even more(I'm retired). I chose the Poor Man's steering option.