Frigidaire Tractor

[lefty]

Model: PR18542ST
MFG ID Number: PR18542STA
Serial: 022100 C 0 10287

I need a new tie rod for this machine. When I look up the part, it shows 192757, which is the replacement for 130465. This appears, however, to have strait unthreaded ends. Maybe secured by a cotter pin of some sort.

The tie rod I'm replacing actually has little ball joints at the end with threaded attachment points. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong looking this up.

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/model/1nx4c0xch2-001324/poulan-pr18542sta-front-engine-lawn-tractor-parts

Thank you

[hanz63]

Yes, they've done that to me before too. As these machines get long in the tooth, it's good to have the adjustment . Are the rod ends replaceable on yours? They can be a bugger to get off. I think they used to have both a RH and LH thread side.

[KE4AVB]

That newer tie rod 130465 > 192757 > 532192757 is held on with a couple washers and cotter keys.

IF your rod itself is good and only the ball joints are bad you might check out McMaster-Carr to see if they have the replacement ball joint ends. But they will cost more than the replacement part above if you are replacing both ends. Just depends if you need the adjustment or not and if your mower or a customer's. Some of us are pickier than others.

And as noted there should a LH and RH threaded ball joint ends used.

[lefty]

Unfortunately, one of the holes for the ball joint is all sacked out and won't hold the ball anymore, which is one of the reasons I'm replacing it.

If it will work I'm going to just try the solid replacement one with the cotter pin. The machine is a beat-up old tractor not long for this world. It's a personal machine. It is difficult to push around the garage without steering.

If I don't go with the cotter pin-mounted one, I was considering trying #171888:
The length seems to match based on the questions posted with the listings online.

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Lawn-Mower-171888-ROD-TIE-BJ-SOLID/dp/B00DFO8ETC/ref=asc_df_B00DFO8ETC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=71716338209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311.

[KE4AVB]

Lefty, I got a garden tractor with the 139929 > 170257 > 171888 > 53217188 on it but pouring rain right now so I can't get measurements. Now it is a non adjustable version.

But here screen shot from the Searspartsdirect that should answer the question but you probably needing the center to center of the ball joints.

[lefty]

That's the big question. I know the center to center on the one I have but no one has asked that question on any of the listings I've found. I did read a question/answer where someone provided the end-to-end measurement and then the distance from the end to the ball joints. That seems to jibe as well but we don't know if they're measuring to the center or the edge.

I found both options on Amazon with free returns. So I bought them both. We soon shall see. If the ball joint one matches I'll go with that. If not, I'll use the replacement I guess. Thanks for the help.

[bgsengine]

Unfortunately, one of the holes for the ball joint is all sacked out and won't hold the ball anymore, which is one of the reasons I'm replacing it.

If it will work I'm going to just try the solid replacement one with the cotter pin. The machine is a beat-up old tractor not long for this world. It's a personal machine. It is difficult to push around the garage without steering.

If I don't go with the cotter pin-mounted one, I was considering trying #171888:
The length seems to match based on the questions posted with the listings online.

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Lawn-Mower-171888-ROD-TIE-BJ-SOLID/dp/B00DFO8ETC/ref=asc_df_B00DFO8ETC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=71716338209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311.

Why not just go to local hardware store, get yourself a length of 3/8 (or 5/16) all thread rod, bend it where you need, spin on a locknut, it'd do likely if tractor is really near end of life...

[lefty]

Unfortunately, one of the holes for the ball joint is all sacked out and won't hold the ball anymore, which is one of the reasons I'm replacing it.

If it will work I'm going to just try the solid replacement one with the cotter pin. The machine is a beat-up old tractor not long for this world. It's a personal machine. It is difficult to push around the garage without steering.

If I don't go with the cotter pin-mounted one, I was considering trying #171888:
The length seems to match based on the questions posted with the listings online.

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Lawn-Mower-171888-ROD-TIE-BJ-SOLID/dp/B00DFO8ETC/ref=asc_df_B00DFO8ETC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=71716338209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343252281089&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6643222908176304149&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001911&hvtargid=pla-729747549311.

Why not just go to local hardware store, get yourself a length of 3/8 (or 5/16) all thread rod, bend it where you need, spin on a locknut, it'd do likely if tractor is really near end of life...

An option as well. Thank you.

[KE4AVB]

Lefty, I got a garden tractor with the 139929 > 170257 > 171888 > 53217188 on it but pouring rain right now so I can't get measurements. Now it is a non adjustable version.

But here screen shot from the Searspartsdirect that should answer the question but you probably needing the center to center of the ball joints.

Okay here we go.

917.273643
IPL shows PN 139929/170257. These supersedes to 53217188.

Measurements

Rod end to end 20-5/16
Ball joint studs @ 90 degree to rod 19-3/4" center to center. Was angle out wheel tips of threads were 20-1/2" before un-mounting.This makes the mounting hole somewhere between 19-3/4 and 20-1/2" most likely 20-1/4"

Studs are 5/16"-24 threaded. Mounted with flat washer, lock washer, and a crown lock nut (top metal lock type).

Don't have the latest on hand to measure and compare. Nor do I have a machine on the yard with the solid rod.

Ball joint hex is 9/16" Mounting nut 1/2"

[lefty]

Those specs sound perfect for what I have, down to the size of the hardware. Thank you.