I Bought a replacement gear sector for a craftsman riding lawn mower, Model # 917.271530. I have the lawn mower apart but cannot remove the old steering support staff or the gear sector. I am not able to remove the shaft asm pitman from the steering bracket. Please help! Thanks

Have you got the nut off the steering shaft? If replacing the sector you would be best off the replacing the pinion as well

If you have the nut off but cannot get the pinion off the shaft, put the nut back on the shaft loosely and tap on it with a soft hammer to lossen. They can be troublesome to get off