January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

This step-by-step riding mower repair guide shows how to replace the rear tire on your lawn tractor or riding lawn mower if the tire is too damaged to repair. Installing a new rear tire is relatively easy and requires just a few tools and a manufacturer-approved lawn mower part.

Use this repair guide and video to replace the rear tire on Craftsman, MTD, Husqvarna, Murray, Troybilt, Toro, Snapper, Yard-Man, Weed Eater, Ariens, John Deer and Southern States lawn tractors and riding lawn mowers.

If the tire just has a puncture in the tread, you can fix it with tire sealant. The video How to Repair a Riding Lawn Mower Tire shows how.

Quick links

Video

Instructions

Tools required

Floor jack or bottle jack

Jack stand

Slot screwdrivers

Pry bars

Pliers

Valve stem core removal tool

Liquid detergent

Water

Wood blocks

Work gloves

Safety goggles

Compressed air supply

Anti-seize compound

Repair difficulty

Time required

60 minutes or less

Replacing a rear tire on a riding lawn mower

This video explains how to replace the rear tire on a riding lawn mower.

Instructions

01.
Disconnect the spark plug
Park the riding mower on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key.
Wear work gloves to protect your hands and safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Lift the riding lawn mower hood and disconnect the spark plug wire.
Lower the tractor hood.
Tip: Disconnect both spark plug wires if your engine has 2 cylinders.
PHOTO: Disconnect the spark plug.
02.
Jack up the riding mower
Block the front tires to keep the riding mower from rolling.
Position the jack under the frame and jack up the riding mower to raise the rear wheel.
Place a jack stand under the frame to support the riding mower.
Remove the jack.
PHOTO: Jack up the riding mower.
03.
Remove the rear wheel
Pull off the axle cover.
Remove the retaining ring and then pull off the washer.
Pull the tire off the axle.
Remove the square key.
PHOTO: Remove the rear wheel.
04.
Remove the tire
Remove the valve stem cap.
Remove the valve stem core, which lets any remaining air out the tire.
Break the tire bead and pry the tire off the wheel rim on one side.
Pry the tire off the rim on the other side.
PHOTO: Break the tire bead and pry the tire off the rim.
05.
Install the new tire on the rim
Clean the wheel rim.
Lay the new tire flat on a work surface.
Lubricate the top tire bead with liquid detergent.
Pry the rim into the top side of the tire.
Flip the rim and tire over.
Lubricate the tire bead with liquid detergent.
Pry the remaining side of the tire onto the rim.

Warning: Use blunt tools to pry the tire to avoid damaging the tire bead.
PHOTO: Pry the new tire onto the rim.
06.
Seal the bead to the rim
Fill the tire with air to seat the tire bead.
Reinstall the valve stem core.
Fill the tire fully with air.
If the tire doesn't fill with air, install ratcheting tension straps around the outer edge of the tread on each side of the tire.
Tighten the straps to force the beads outward.
Fill the tire with air to seat the tire bead.
Reinstall the valve stem core and fill the tire with just enough air to keep the beads seated.
Carefully release the tension straps and then remove the straps.
Tip: If the tire didn't fill with air, install a ratcheting tension strap around the center of the tire tread, tighten the strap to force the beads outward, and fill the tire with air to seat the tire bead. Carefully release and then remove the strap.
PHOTO: Seal the bead to the rim.
07.
Reinstall the wheel
Slide the wheel on the axle and line up the key slots in the rim and axle.
Apply anti-seize compound to the square key.
Push the key into the rim.
Reinstall the washer and snap the retaining ring onto the axle.
Push the axle cover onto the wheel.
PHOTO: Lubricate the square key.
08.
Lower the riding mower
Push the jack under the frame and raise the riding mower.
Pull out the jack stand.
Lower the riding mower to the ground.
Remove the wood blocks from the front tires.
PHOTO: Lower the riding mower.
09.
Reconnect the spark plug
Raise the tractor hood.
Reconnect the spark plug wire and lower the hood.
Tip: Reconnect both spark plug wires if your engine has 2 cylinders.

Warning: Undertaking repairs to appliances can be hazardous. Use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the guide and follow all instructions. Do not proceed until you are confident that you understand all of the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs should only be performed by a qualified technician.