Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower Tire Removal
- Gather the tools that you need, which include a tire jack, flat-head screwdriver and soapy water or tire lubricant. If you are removing the rear wheel(s), you will need the square key also.
Locate a flat area where you can remove the tire. It is best to do this on a concrete surface. Clear away a spot that offers plenty of space for movement. Turn off the lawnmower's engine, and take the key out of the ignition. Let the machine cool down if necessary. - Lift the appropriate tire off the ground a few inches. Take the tire jack and place it underneath that wheel. Check that the jack makes contact with the bottom of the frame of the mower, and make sure it is secure before lifting the mower.
Use the flat-head screwdriver to unscrew the axle cover. Locate the retaining ring and washers and remove them. For rear tires, align the grooves with the hub and axle. Insert the square key into the hole located in that area. Grasp the rim and the tire, pull them off the axle and place it on the concrete. The outside of the rim has to face toward the sky. If the wheel seems stuck in the axle it is because sometimes after they leave the factory, the materials fuse together. To combat this reaction, use soapy water or lubricant to make it a little slippery inside. This helps to separate the two items. - Use the flat-head screwdriver and your finger to press the inside of the air valve. This will release the air from inside the tire. Keep the pressure on the valve until all of the air is released.
To pull the tire from the rim there are a couple of things that you must do. Separate the rim of the tire from the bead. Use the screwdriver to do this by pressing it around the edge of the circumference of the bead. Pull on the top bead, bringing it over the lid of the rim. Use the screwdriver to give you some leverage if it won't come off. Pull on the bottom head so that it comes off the top rim lid and the tire is free from the rim.
