The gray plastic piece, if it is circular with spokes like a little gear, that is the adapter. I am not mechanically trained either and my mower has just about fallen apart after maybe 20 uses.
Hi, Could you please explain in greater detail where exactly you placed the washers in order to overcome the problem with the adapter? I received my WE1 May 2011 as a Mother's Day gift and have had nothing but problems. This is my first riding mower thus I am not at all trained in repair but am learning as I go. Currently mine is unable to steer at all, I believe due to a worn out adapter.