7 “Common” John Deere Zero Turn Steering Problems

Having a John Deere Zero Turn is like a fortune when it comes to maintaining a healthy and well-manicured lawn like a breeze. However, like any other mechanical device and mower, a John Deere Zero Turn is bound to experience some problems that will affect its performance and operation in the future.

This article will discuss the most common issues you will likely face with its Steering. A John Deere Zero Turn steering problem is not uncommon that has been frequently faced by its user.

Many users have reported steering problems in John Deere Zero Turn related to the difficulty to control, difficulty in turning, mower continuously pulling to one side, vibration when turning, or difficulty in Steering in a straight line.

Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the cause of the problems but also the signs & the steps that can help you fix and prevent them in the future. Therefore, if you want a mower like this, you must be aware of the John Deere Zero Turn steering problem. 

7 John Deere Zero Turn Steering Problems

Difficulty turning

There can be a primary factor in play when your John Deere Zero Turn faces difficulty in turning. If your John Deere Zero Turn is challenging, here are a few common causes.

Causes

Worn Or Damaged Wheels: If the wheels are worn out, you will need to replace them as soon as possible. Any damaged or worn-out wheels will make the mower challenging to turn. Other than this, make sure the tires are properly inflated. If it is over-inflated, it will be worn more quickly and unevenly.

Bent Or Damaged Deck: Since the deck is a vital component of your Zero Turn, if it encounters any problem, your John Deere Zero Turn may pull to one side. This is why I recommend you look for damages or bent on your John Deere Zero Turn deck, which makes turning the mower challenging. If your John Deere Zero Turn has recently hit a hard object or has been frequently used on uneven terrain, it could be bent.

Steering Mechanism Issues: Another common cause of John Deere Zero Turn difficulty turning tends to be related to the steering mechanism issue. Firstly, check for debris blocking your gear and stopping it from moving.

Other than this, if the steering mechanism is properly lubricated, it will make turning the mower easier. Also, look for unbalanced and dull blades that might be causing your John Deere Zero Turn to pull on one side or challenging to turn.

Operator Error: If you are not used to riding or operating a Zero Turn, this may be the issue. If you need to become more familiar with the proper operation of a Zero Turn, learn from the user manual or an experienced person first.

Uneven Weight Distribution On Car: Lastly, if there is an even weight distribution on your Zero Turn, it will imbalance and face difficulty in turning. This is why I recommend you check the weight distribution on your mower.

What To Do?

Firstly, check all the wheels, and if it is underinflated or overinflated, re-adjust. Look for signs of damage and wear. If the tire is damaged, replace it. Uneven tire wear can also make the mower challenging to turn.

Also, make sure the John Deere Zero Turn deck is not damaged or bent. If it is banned, your John Deere Zero Turn will not be able to turn. If your mower eventually pulls to one side, lubricate the John Deere Zero Turn steering mechanism occasionally to prevent any blockage in the steering gears.

Make sure the blades are correctly balanced and sharp. The uneven edge can also cause your John Deere Zero Turn to imbalance, vibrate, or make turning difficult. If your John Deere Zero Turn is very light or too heavy, this might be the root cause. Address uneven weight distribution on your John Deere Zero Turn to fix the issue.

Hard Steering

Signs 

• Zero Turns are challenging to turn in either direction. 
• John Deere Zero Turn is continuously pulling to one side while turning. 
• You are feeling resistance or stiffness while turning the steering wheel. 
• If you hear any winning noise or grinding sound coming from the steering wheel, there is something wrong.

Causes 

Worn Or Damaged Steering Components: If the steering shaft or steering gear is damaged, you must replace it. It can cause your John Deere Zero Turn steering to stiff & heart to operate. Over time, the steering components are prone to wear and tear due to heavy usage. 

Low Tire Pressure: if the tire pressure is not optimal or adequately inflated, the Steering will be hard to operate after.

Bent Or Damaged Front Axle: Unfortunately, the front axle of your John Deere Zero Turn is prone to damage and bending. Therefore check for signs of any damages or bending that are making this Steering stiff or more rigid.

Debris In The Steering Mechanism: If you don’t regularly maintain your mowers, debris can get stuck in your John Deere Zero Turn steering mechanism, which may cause the Steering to become rigid. Therefore it is essential to check for any debris like dirt, grass clippings, or foreign objects as little as a pebble that has accumulated in the mechanism making your John Deere Zero Turn Steering difficult to turn.

Operator Error: Maybe you’re using too much force while steering your Zero Turn. If this is the case, you need to know what to do.

Solutions

• If the tire pressure is inadequate, inflate the tire properly as per recommended pressure. Take the help of your user and manual if needed.
• If the steering component is not adequately lubricated, lubricate it first. If it has any sign of wear or damage, never mind replacing those parts.
• Suppose the front axle is bent or faulty; repair or replace it as required. If you cannot replace the front action, get it replaced by a qualified technician.
• If there is any debris or foreign object stuck in the steering mechanism, clean it using a wire brush.
• If you put too much force while turning the steering wheel, learn from the manual and understand the proper technique to steer the Zero Turn.

John Deere Zero Turn One Wheel Turns Faster Than The Other

Causes

Why does It happen?

What To Do?

Uneven Tire Wear. 

This Can Happen If The Mower Is Operated On Uneven Terrain. Or, If One Wheel Is Under-inflated Or Over-inflated.

Uneven Tire Wear Can Cause One Wheel To Turn Faster Than The Other. Therefore I Recommend You Replace The Tire And Inflate Them Equally Upto Recommended Pressure.

Steering Mechanism Issues

If The Mower Is Operated With Too Much Force, One Wheel Will Turn Faster Than The Other. It Also Happens If The Steering Gears Need to be Properly Lubricated. The Steering Mechanism Can Become Misaligned Or Damaged, Causing One Wheel To Turn Faster Than The Other. 

First, Replace Any Damage Steering Mechanism And Align Them Properly According To The User Manual. After that, Lubricate All The Steering Gears Properly And Learn The Right Technique From The Manual To Steer The Zero Turn. 

Bent Or Damaged Front Axle

This Mostly Happens When The John Deere Zero Turn Runs Over A Hard Object Or Runs On Uneven Terrain. 

As a Bent Or Damaged Front Axle Can Cause One Wheel To Turn Faster Than The Other, You Should Replace Or Repair Any Faulty Front Axle As Required.

Mechanical Issues

The John Deere Zero Turn Wheel can have different speeds due to mechanical issues like worn-out bolts, Damaged Bearings, Or Transmission Problems.

If The Problem Is Related To The Transmission, Get It Checked By A Qualified Technician. Other Than This, You Should Replace All Kinds Of Damage Bolts And Bearings To Solve The John Deere Zero Turn Wheel Turning Faster Than The Other.

Uneven Weight Distribution

If The Weight Is Not Distributed Evenly, One Wheel Will Take More Pressure Than The Other. Thus, In Turn, It Will Cause One Wheel To Turn Faster Than The Other

Make Sure To Keep The John Deere Zero Turn Weight Distributed Evenly,

John Deere Zero Turn Loose Steering

Cause

• If the steering gear is worn out, the John Deere Zero Turn steering will have a lot of play.
• If the steering shaft is loose or damaged, you will feel the Steering very open. 
• If the Steering is not adjusted correctly, you will feel too loose. 
• If the steering wheel is not tightened securely, it will cause loose Steering. 
• In addition, if the steering wheel is worn out, the Steering will have a lot of play. 
• The steering gears may not be adequately lubricated, causing the Steering to feel loose. 
• If debris like grass clippings, dirt, or foreign objects are stuck in the steering mechanism, the mower’s Steering may become loose or very hard. 

Solution 

Since a loose steering wheel makes it very difficult to control your John Deere Zero Turn and mow in a straight line, you will need to fix it asap. Operating a John Deere Zero Turn with loose Steering can be potentially dangerous and prone to accidents.

Firstly, check the steering component for any signs of wear or looseness. If found any issue, repair or replace it as necessary. Besides this, you need to take a quick look at the steering adjustment to see if it is properly adjusted.

If the steering gear or not adequately lubricated, lubricate it first. Do clean out all kinds of diabetes that can get accumulated in the steering gear after every time you are done mowing your lawn.

If the problem persists, you must take your John Deere Zero Turn to the nearest authorized service center for quick repair. The repairing may be costly, but it is essential to address the issue before it causes damage to the other John Deere Zero Turn component and mechanisms. You can also refer to the user manual of your John Deere Zero Turn to troubleshoot any specific problem that is not mentioned here.

John Deere Zero Turn Pulls To One Side

There can be many reasons your John Deere Zero Turn pulls to one side. However, the most common cause tends to be uneven tire pressure. Your John Deere Zero Turn will pull to one side if any tire is under or over.

You can quickly fix this issue by adjusting the tire pressure to the recommended level per your user manual. Another common cause that a John Deere Zero Turn user has frequently reported is a damaged mower belt.

This is the culprit if your John Deere Zero Turn deck belt is damaged. Repair or replace any bent or damaged deck. Besides this, you should prevent running a John Deere Zero Turn over a hard object or uneven taren as these mowers are not explicitly designed for heavy-duty usage.

It is essential to keep the blade sharpened and balanced correctly. Your John Deere Zero Turn will pull to one side if it is unbalanced. You can quickly fix this issue by sharpening the blade and replacing it from time to time.

If you cannot balance the edges properly, get it done by a local technician. Another common issue that causes a John Deere Zero Turn to pull at one side is directly related to the steering mechanism. If any part of the steering mechanism is not adequately lubricated, do it first.

Since it is also prone to debris blockage, look for any debris that might be blocking the movement of your Zero Turn. This can cause your John Deere Zero Turn to pull to one side.

Lubricating and cleaning the steering mechanism should be a regular part of the mower’s maintenance. Finally, ensure you are familiar with your John Deere Zero Turn operation and doing everything correctly, causing the mower to pull to one side.

Unstable Steering 

Noise Or Vibration When Turning

Unfortunately, vibration or noise when turning a John Deere Zero Turn is caused by several factors. Therefore, here we will discuss some possible causes of sudden noise or vibration when you turn on your Zero Turn.

Worn Or Damaged Bearings: If your John Deere Zero Turn bearings are worn out or damaged, they will not support the wheel and steering mechanism enough to function correctly. Therefore, it will cause noise and vibration while turning.

Loose Or Worn Steering Components: If the steering gear or its other parts has worn out over time, you must replace it. If it has become loose, you will experience vibration when turning. A worn-out Steering will also exhibit noises.

Uneven Tire Wear: if any tire is not inflated correctly, you will experience excessive vibration or sudden noise when turning a Zero Turn. This may also be caused by operating a John Deere Zero Turn on uneven terrain. Make sure every wheel is inflated and inflated. 

Bent Or Damaged Front Axle: If your John Deere Zero Turn front axle gets damaged, you will hear excessive vibration and noise. This will happen if a John Deere Zero Turn runs over a hard object or rough terrain. 

Mechanical Issues: According to some users, a problem with the transmission also exhibits noises and vibration. This is the case; below is what you should do.

Solution

If you hear noises or experience vibration, it could be related to your John Deere Zero Turn steering or suspension system. This is important to fix before you continue operating a Zero Turn.

Never use a John Deere Zero Turn if it vibrates or excessively exhibits noise. Firstly, look at the bearing tires font excel and steering component for signs of wear and tear. If any of those components are damaged, you must buy the original part from the manufacturer’s website and replace it.

Besides this, always keep the John Deere Zero Turn steering mechanism and components adequately lubricated. Make sure to also clean it from time to time. If there is any debris accumulated in the Zero Turn, you will experience vibration problems.

Debris may even block the movement of a John Deere Zero Turn gear. After checking all these things, if your John Deere Zero Turn problem persists, I advise you to take your unit to an authorized nearby service center or contact your manufacturer.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned that steering problems on John Deere Zero Turn could be caused due to many factors: worn-out steering components, low lubrication, damaged front axle, improper adjustment of the deck, uneven tire and weight distribution, operator error, and many more.

Fortunately, most of the problems can be easily fixed with the help of the instruction given below and your user manual. If you have enough knowledge and essential experience on setting anymore or vehicle before, you can easily replace most of your John Deere Zero Turn components.

However, if you are a newbie, I recommend you call the authorized technician to help you. It would be best if you prevented causing any accidents or further damage while trying to fix the issue. A qualified technician can give you a proper diagnosis of the existing problem with the following solution.

Today, I wanted to provide you with all the information regarding John Deere Zero Turn steering problems and their possible solution. If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it.

Your share will help many people learn what they should do if they counter any issue with John Deere Zero Turn steering problems. Check our other helpful guide on many more John Deere Zero Turn models and their problems. See you in the next post, take care and goodbye.

David Holtzman

I’m David man behind Lawn Mowerly; I’ve been dealing with lawnmowers and Tractors with my father since I was a kid. I know every make and model and what each one is capable of and love helping people find the perfect lawn mower for their needs.