20 Most Recent Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor - CA Model - Page 5 Questions & Answers

You can try streightening the steering link rod. or just buy a new one. also make sure the holes on the axle brackets arent wallard out.

Time for preventiv maint chec....inspect batt connects for titeess n corrosion.....clean carb w an outboard product to relieve filth from ethanol gas

Craftsman is not orange. Husqvarna and Ariens tractors are orange. What may be confusing is the Ariens tractor now use the hood that is on your 2010 Craftsman. Craftsman Colors: Gray - base level "good" There is currently one lawn tractor that is gray. Red - standard Craftsman Color "better" most lawn tractors, yard tractors and garden tractors are red. Black - Premium "best" from 2009 to 2013. Black Yellow - Craftsman Pro now "best" Craftsman change the color scheme of the best tractors from all black to black/yellow in 2014. You can read more at The Complete Lawn Mower Riding Mower Lawn Tractor Garden Tractor Zero Turn...

Most likely either your deck engagement cable is broken or has came the idler pulley. Cable PN 946-04173E

readjust the throttle linkage

Sears is pretty good at providing parts breakdowns to customers searching for them. The nice thing is, they are displayed in a way that shows you how all the parts are assembled as well, I suppose so you can determine which exact part you need. Anyways, go to the sears website and towards the top of the page should be a tab for parts. Put in your model and serial number, then fish around for the particular parts group diagram you need. It's pretty easy, don't over complicate it by thinking about it, just try sears.com and look around a bit, I'm sure if you're confident enough to repair your own machine, (or just incredibly cheap,) you can figure out how to navigate the site to find what it is that you want.

starter, tap on starter while you turn key

try this

No you dont need a new starter, the gear is stuck.
Try WD40 and gently free it with a screwdriver.

You did not finish the statement about without the blades but if your saying what I thing you are...Ah Oh Sounds like you may have a bent crank..Did you hit something with the blades...take the belt off and start the motor..and Check for wobble of the V drive there should be NONE if it does it could be bent itself or the crank...good luck

Sounds like a bad coil to me ... it only makes sense that has the heat from the engine transfers into the coil the coil windings expand and causes a open resulting in ignition failure and no spark to the plugs... if you need parts try www.partstree.com

check to see if you lost spark if not spray starting fluid and see if it fires that will tell you if it's a fuel prblem

Find a level surface (concrete garage floor for example) ... adjust front to back ... use a tape meadure to mneasure floor to deck edge ... then adjust side to side.

There are plastic bushings on the front wheels that get worn over time. Pull the front wheels off and inspect them to see if they are still intact.

Park your mower on a level surface and loosen the bolts that hold the mower deck up on both sides. There are some good YouTube videos that show you how. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQQXtcMzbGA

This video shows several belt patterns for various mowers. I am assuming you are wanting the deck belt and not the drive belt. 4 seconds into the video is the standard craftsman 42 inch belt path. The belt at the bottom is put on the engine pulley. Tip from my own experince make sure that the belt is under the belt guides or you will ruin a belt in short order. Your model number is under the seat and is also a scanable barcode. Another tip is to snap a photo of your model numbers. This is handy when you need parts. More accurate and readable than writing it down. Riding Mower Deck Belt Diagram DIY

Starter motor spins, but does not engage

1. Check the starter motor for a seized or binding pinion gear.
2. Remove the flywheel inspection plate and check for a damaged ring gear.
3. Engine stalls immediately when started
   1. Check the ignition switch condition and operation. The electrical contacts in the run position may be worn or damaged. Try restarting the engine with all electrical accessories in the off position. Sometimes turning the key on an off will help in emergency situations, however once the switch has shown signs of failure, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
   2. Check for loose, corroded, damaged or shorted wires for the ignition system and repair or replace.
   3. Check for manifold vacuum leaks or vacuum hose leakage and repair or replace parts as necessary.
   4. Measure the fuel pump delivery volume and pressure. Low fuel pump pressure can also be noticed as a lack of power when accelerating. Make sure the fuel pump lines are not restricted. The fuel pump output is not adjustable and requires fuel pump replacement to repair.
   5. Check the engine fuel and ignition management system. Inspect the sensor wiring and electrical connectors. A dirty, loose or damaged sensor or control module wire can simulate a failed component.
   6. Check the exhaust system for internal restrictions.

Must be a dead short in wire to solenoid, trace wire back from solenoid plug through wirring harness till you find bare or damaged wire and repair with electrical tape. Try to determine what caused this condition and repair that also so it cant happen again

try cleaning the small vent hole in the gas cap.this happened to me