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April 19, 2023

DIY riding mower & lawn tractor repair

Why is it that the grass seems to grow faster when your riding mower isn't working right? Fortunately, you can fix your riding mower or lawn tractor yourself, with the help of Sears PartsDirect's DIY repair advice. (If you have a gas walk-behind mower, check out our DIY walk-behind mower repair help.)

To avoid many problems, keep your riding mower maintained by tuning up the engine each season. We have video troubleshooting tips for leveling a mower deck so your mower cuts the yard evenly every time you mow. If your lawn tractor battery dies, avoid vehicle and mower damage by following the procedures in our how to jump-start a riding lawn mower battery video. If the mower is completely dead, watch this riding lawn mower won't turn over or click video. We can also help if your mower engine spins when you turn the key but won't start. To troubleshoot other engine problems, find out how to fix a tire and much more, check out our articles and videos page.

Once you've determined the problem with your mower, follow the steps in our DIY repair guides for front-engine and zero-turn mowers. To find the owner’s manual or a complete list of replacement parts for your riding mower or tractor, search for your model number.

riding mowers & tractors

Most common symptoms to help you fix your riding mowers & tractors

Choose a symptom to see related riding mower and lawn tractor repairs.

Main causes: worn or broken blade belt, broken belt idler pulley, blade clutch cable failure, bad PTO switch, damaged ma…

Main causes: faulty battery, bad alternator…

Main causes: punctured tire or inner tube, leaky valve stem, damaged wheel rim…

Main causes: dead battery, stale fuel, bad starter solenoid, ignition system problem, bad ignition interlock switch, clo…

Main causes: damaged tie rods, bent or worn wheel spindle, worn front axle, damaged sector gear assembly…

Main causes: shift lever needs adjustment, neutral control needs adjustment…

Main causes: clogged carburetor, damaged flywheel key, dirty spark plug, stale fuel, improper valve lash, engine needs a…

Main causes: worn or broken ground drive belt, bad seat switch, transaxle freewheel control engaged, transaxle failure, …

Main causes: unlevel mower deck, dull or damaged cutting blades, worn mandrel pulleys, bent mower deck, engine needs tun…

Most common repair guides to help fix your riding mowers & tractors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to replace a mandrel assembly on a riding lawn mower

How to replace a mandrel assembly on a riding lawn mower

Replace the mandrel assembly if the blade shaft vibrates or doesn't spin.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace the flywheel key on a riding lawn mower

How to replace the flywheel key on a riding lawn mower

If the engine won't restart after hitting a stump or rock, the problem could be a sheared flywheel key. Follow these ste…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower ignition coil

How to replace a riding lawn mower ignition coil

If you're not getting spark from a good spark plug, the problem could be the ignition coil. Follow these step-by-step in…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your riding mowers & tractors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your riding mower or lawn tractor.

What's the difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor?

What's the difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor?

Do you know a lawn tractor from a garden tractor? Take a look at the key differences and discover how each handles your …

The best time of day to mow grass (and when you should absolutely not)

The best time of day to mow grass (and when you should absolutely not)

Wondering when to mow your lawn for the best results? Timing matters more than you might think. Discover the best time o…

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…

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