April 20, 2023

Riding mower & lawn tractor repair guides

If your riding lawn mower won't start, it runs rough or it doesn't cut grass like it should, let Sears PartsDirect help you learn how to fix it. We have easy-to follow riding lawn mower repair guides and videos, as well as expert troubleshooting advice in our DIY repair help section. Once you find out which part you need to replace, search your model number to find the complete list of parts for your riding mower or lawn tractor.

riding-mowers-tractor

Repair guides for Repair guides common to all 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 the starter motor on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the starter motor on a riding lawn mower

If you hear the solenoid click but don’t hear the starter motor spin when you turn the key, follow these steps to replac…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a mandrel assembly on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

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 air filter on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the air filter on a riding lawn mower

Get your mower running smoothly again by replacing the air filter—it's a quick job you can do yourself, following these …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace the flywheel key on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

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 the seat switch on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the seat switch on a riding lawn mower

Follow the steps in this guide to install a new riding mower seat switch in about 15 minutes.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace the starter solenoid on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the starter solenoid on a riding lawn mower

Replace the starter solenoid if it doesn't click when you turn the ignition key.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace the seat on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the seat on a riding lawn mower

A broken seat can keep the mower from running.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower ignition switch
February 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower ignition switch

Get your mower started again by replacing the ignition switch—it's a quick job you can do by following these steps.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to rebuild a riding lawn mower carburetor
January 01, 2015

How to rebuild a riding lawn mower carburetor

Get your sputtering carburetor running smoothly in 60 minutes.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

Your mower can’t run on a damaged rear tire. Here’s how to install a new one.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower spark plug
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower spark plug

If the engine is hard to start or if the spark plug electrode is burnt or cracked, take 15 minutes to replace it.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower blade
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

If a blade on your mower is dull or bent, replace it following the steps in this repair guide.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower carburetor
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower carburetor

If the engine of your lawn tractor surges or is hard to start, the carburetor could be the problem. Follow these steps t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower ignition coil
January 01, 2015

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
How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

Help your mower run better by replacing the fuel filter during your riding mower's annual tune-up.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Repair guides for rear-engine riding mowers

How to adjust the neutral control on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to adjust the neutral control on a zero-turn riding mower

Adjust the neutral control if your zero-turn riding mower creeps forward or backward while both steering lap bars are in…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to remove the mower deck on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to remove the mower deck on a zero-turn riding mower

Follow the steps in this guide to remove the mower deck for cleaning or inspection.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a cutting blade on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to replace a cutting blade on a zero-turn riding mower

Replace a bent or dull cutting blade in 30 minutes or less. …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace the electric clutch on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to replace the electric clutch on a zero-turn riding mower

The electric clutch mounts on the engine crankshaft and controls the cutting blades. This step-by-step guide explains ho…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace the blade belt on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to replace the blade belt on a zero-turn riding mower

A worn or broken blade belt on a zero-turn riding mower prevents the mower blades from working. Here’s how to replace th…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace the ground drive belt on a zero-turn riding mower
January 01, 2015

How to replace the ground drive belt on a zero-turn riding mower

The ground drive belt connects the engine crankshaft to the transmission pulleys to drive the rear wheels.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 90 minutes or less

Repair guides for front-engine lawn tractors

How to replace a blade clutch cable on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace a blade clutch cable on a riding lawn mower

If the blades don't spin on your riding mower when you shift the lever, the blade clutch cable could be broken. Here’s h…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a ground drive belt on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace a ground drive belt on a riding lawn mower

Replace the ground drive belt if it's broken or too worn to spin the transaxle pulley.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace the brake interlock switch on a riding lawn mower
March 01, 2017

How to replace the brake interlock switch on a riding lawn mower

If the engine won’t start even though the brake is on, the brake interlock switch could be at fault. Here’s how to repla…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower blade drive belt
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower blade drive belt

Replace the blade drive belt if it's broken or won't spin the cutting blades because of wear.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower front tire
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower front tire

Get your mower moving again by using these instructions when replacing a damaged front tire.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

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: faulty battery, bad alternator...

Main causes: damaged cutting blade, worn deck pulley, damaged mandrel pulley, loose fasteners on mower deck components...

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

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

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

Main causes: engine overfilled with oil, leaky head gasket or sump gasket, damaged carburetor seals, cracked fuel pump, ...

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

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

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

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.

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Riding lawn mower engine clicks but doesn't turn over video

Riding lawn mower engine clicks but doesn't turn over video

Check the starter solenoid, starter motor, wiring, battery and engine....