STEERING PROBLEM ON ST16

i PURCHASED AN SS16 AND HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING. I FOUND THE WELD WHICH HOLDS TIE RODS BROKEN. i DONT KNOW THE NAME OF THE PART SO I WILL DESCRIBE IT. THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE FASTENED TO A TRIANGLE LIKE PIECE UNDER THE TRACTOR. THE TRIANGLE PIECE SLIDES UP THRU A HOUSING AND HELD IN PLACE BY AN E RING. THE HOUSING BROKE LOOSE AT THE WELD. SINCE YOU CANT SEE THE WELD HOW CAN I MAKE A REPAIR?
PROBLEM IS UNUSUAL. HAS ANYONE EVER MADE A REPAIR ON THIS?

HI
THE MOST EASY & PROBABLY BEST WAY TO REPAIR THE BROKEN WELD IS TO REMOVE THE ENGINE, USE A PLASMA CUTTER AND CUT ABOUT A 4" HOLE ABOVE THE DAMAGED AREA AND JUST WELD IT UP, HOLE WILL BE UNDER THE ENGINE AND NO ONE WILL KNOW IF YOU DON'T TELL THEM, ALSO WHILE YOU HAVE THE (IDLER ARM) PART OFF CUT A 3" SQUARE PIECE OF COKE OR BEER CAN, WRAP AROUND SHAFT AND PUSH BACK UP INTO THE HOLE FOR A BUSHING TO TAKE A LOT OF SLOP OUT OF STEERING. OR YOU CAN BUY SOME BRASS SHIM STOCK BUT THAT COSTS MONEY, ALUMINUM IS FREE AND GARENTEED TO WORK
HANG IN THERE
JIMMY
IN SOUTH GEORGIA

Thanks a lot Jimmy.