How to Fix a Loose Lawn Mower Wheel (Super Easy)

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A loose or wobbly lawn mower wheel is a pretty common issue most lawn mower owners will face at some point. As frustrating and annoying as wobbly lawn mower wheels can be, it’s actually an easy, quick, and affordable repair. So, don’t give up on your lawn mower and ditch it at the curb. Here is what you can do to keep fix a loose lawn mower wheel and keep your mower mowing.

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How to Replace Lawn Mower Wheels (Overview)

First, figure out if your lawnmower has wheels with or without bushings. You’ll need to replace the wheel for non-bushing wheels, whereas for bushing wheels, you’ll likely only need to replace the bushing. In either scenario, you’ll need to remove the hub cap and the wheel nut, then remove the wheel or the wheel and bushing. Finally, install the replacement components and secure the wheels.

Symptoms of a Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheel

How can you tell if you have wobbly wheels? First of all, you’ll probably notice that your lawn mower isn’t mowing as nicely as it usually would. A loose or wobbly wheel is likely to let the cutting deck sit lower on your lawn, which will, in turn, cause your mower to scalp your grass. In addition, a wobbly lawn mower wheel will make your mower hard to maneuver over your lawn. This is because the deck will likely drag across the grass. The most obvious symptom of a wobbly lawn mower wheel is that you can see the wheels wobbling around or hear them clanking and vibrating as you mow. If you’re in doubt, lift the wheels off the ground and check them by hand. If they are wobbly, they’ll need to be fixed or replaced.

Bushing or Non-Bushing Wheels

First of all, what is a bushing? A wheel bushing is a cylindrical bearing, typically just a metal tube that sits over the axle inside the central opening of the wheel. The idea is that a bushing reduces the friction between the axle and the wheel, making the wheels last much longer.

What’s the difference between wheels with bushing vs. non-bushing wheels? Wheels that don’t have a bushing connect the axle directly to the central opening in the wheel. The downside to the non-bushing design is that once the inside of the plastic wheel wears down, the entire wheel needs to be replaced. On the other hand, replacing a wheel bushing takes the same effort and most of the same steps as replacing a wheel, plus it is significantly cheaper.

Are All Lawn Mower Wheels the Same?

Simply put, lawn mower wheels are all different. Even the wheels on a single lawn mower can be different. For example, the front wheels are typically different from the rear wheels, and the drive wheels are different from the non-drive wheels. So, of course, the wheels on one lawn mower are different from that of a different lawn mower. Even lawnmowers made by the same manufacturer can have different wheels. I recommend you purchase OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) wheels that suit your specific lawn mower make/model/year to avoid purchasing any wrong parts.

How to Diagnose a Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheel

When diagnosing wobbly lawn mower wheels, you’ll need to check a few different components to figure out what is at fault. Here’s what I recommend that you check.

Inspect the Wheel

A wobbly lawn mower wheel needs to be replaced if the center opening is worn down and can no longer securely attach to the axle. Typically the friction caused by the axle against the wheel’s plastic is more than enough to cause a wheel to become loose. So check the opening in the wheel to see if it is worn. If it is, then you’ll need to install a new wheel.

Inspect the Bushing

A wheel bushing is usually made of a fairly thin metal intended to reduce the friction between the wheel and the axle. So the bushing wears down instead of the wheel. You’ll need to inspect the bush to ensure the wheel is securely attached to your lawn mower axle. 

Inspect Both the Wheel & Bushing

Even though bushings are designed to protect the wheel, they are only good if they are intact. If the bushings wear down too much, the wheel will begin to wear against the axle. This means you may need to replace both the busing and the wheels. So, make sure to still check the wheels even if you have bushings.

Inspect the Axles

The final item you should inspect is the actual axles themselves. Even though the bushing and the wheels are typically made of a weaker material than the axles, it’s not uncommon for the axles to wear down, especially if you’re on your second or third set of wheels. So, if you’ve checked the wheels and bushing and they look ok, take a look at the axle.

How to Fix a Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheel (The Steps)

Now it’s time to look at how to repair your lawn mower’s wobbly wheels. Here are the steps for both the bushing and non-bushing wheels.

How to Fix a Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheel (Wheel Replacement)

A typical lawn mower that uses just a wheel with no bushing is a push lawn mower like a Toro, Honda, or Husquvarna. Here are the steps for this type of wheel and mower.

  1. Jack up the lawn mower.
  2. Remove the hub cap.
  3. Remove the center wheel nut.
  4. Pull the damaged wheel from the lawn mower.
  5. Clean off the axle.
  6. Mount the new wheel on the axle.
  7. Attach the wheel nut.
  8. Install the hub cap.
  9. Lower the lawn mower.

How to Fix a Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheel (Bushing Replacement)

John Deere or Husaquvarna tractor mowers typically have bushing inside their wheels which need to be replaced periodically to ensure the wheels stay secure and don’t become loose and wobbly. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to complete this repair. 

Lawn Mower Wheel Removal

  1. Jack up the wheel that needs to be repaired.
  2. Remove the Spilit pin from the wheel axle.
  3. Remove the wheel washer.
  4. Remove the wheel from the lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Wheel Bushing Removal

Usually, lawn mower wheels have two bushings. One bushing is inserted on one side of the wheel and the second on the other side. So you’ll need to remove both bushings. 

  1. Lay your wheel flat on a work surface, then grab a socket extension. 
  2. Thread the extension through the wheel to catch the inner part of the lower bushing. 
  3. Once the extension is in place, tap with a hammer. 
  4. Reposition the extension and give it another tap. For example, start with the extension at 12 o’clock, then move to 6, then 3, then 9. This will slowly push the bushing out of the wheel until it completely falls out. These bushing types are not particularly tight, so it shouldn’t take too much work with your hammer. 
  5. Next, flip the wheel over and repeat the process to tap out the second half of the bushing. You could use a socket that is just a little smaller than the opening in the hub, or you can continue using the socket extension. 

Installing a New Lawn Mower Wheel Bushing

  1. Clean the inside of the wheel using a shop cloth to remove any old grease and metal filing from the old bushings.
  2. Take one-half of the new bushing (noting which is the inside and which is the outside) and install it into the wheel. For this stage, I prefer to use some type of soft blow hammer, such as a rubber hammer, so as not to cause any damage to the new bushing.
  3. Next, flip over the wheel and install the second bushing using the same method.
  4. Coat the inside of the bushing and the axle with multipurpose grease.
  5. Slide the wheel onto the axle and give it a spin to make sure everything is turning as it should.
  6. Install any wheel keys. This is the small metal key that locks the wheel to the axle.
  7. Next, replace the wheel washer and install the split pin.
  8. Finally, lower your lawn mower and give it a try. 

What You’ll Need to Repair Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheels

Extra Steps When Repairing Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheels

Whenever I’m working on the wheels or the drive system, I always take the opportunity to inspect the other components. You never know what you might find if you spend an extra few minutes looking over your lawn mower. 

Here are a few extra items you could check to avoid future repairs.

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