Rear Axle Removal

Grab the plastic housing at the end of the spark plug wire and pull firmly to disconnect it.

Chock the rear wheels to prevent the mower from rolling during service.

Lift up the plastic deflector.

While holding the deflector up and out of the way, lift the grass bag handle away from the mower to detach it.

Remove the grass bag.

Set the height adjustment lever all the way forward, past the "A" setting, to loosen the axle spring underneath the mower.

Tilt the mower onto its side so the blades are facing out.

Reach underneath the axle, near the transmission, and pull the axle spring out towards the axle and down to unhook it.

Return the mower back to an upright position.

Place the mower on blocks so each wheel is above the work surface and can rotate freely.

Use a 9/16 inch socket to remove the wheel nut.

Remove the wheel.

Remove the wheel washer.

Remove the dust cover.

Use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the gear retaining pin.

Remove the drive gear.

Use a pair of snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring from the driveline.

Remove the snap ring washer.

Use a 1/2 inch socket to remove the driveline bearing retaining bolt.

Firmly pull the driveline bearing away from the mower.

Repeat the last nine steps for the right side of the mower, starting with removing the right wheel. Once complete, continue to the next step.

Remove the height adjustment lever from the left side of the mower.

Holding the left end of the axle with your left hand and the right end of the driveline with your right hand, firmly pull them in opposite directions—the axle to the left, and the driveline to the right.

While maintaining these opposing forces, squeeze both axles together.

With the axle being pulled left and driveline being pulled right, force the left end of the axle out and down, around the end of the driveline.

Remove the axle.