Replacing a Front Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower

This video explains how to change a front tire on a riding lawn mower if the old tire is damaged beyond repair. To replace the front tire you’ll need a few tools and a part that fits your model.

(0:00) Introduction
(0:12) Step 1: Disconnect the spark plug
(0:21) Step 2: Jack up the riding mower
(0:39) Step 3: Remove the front wheel
(0:51) Step 4: Remove the tire
(1:09) Step 5: Install the new tire
(1:37) Step 6: Seal the bead
(1:51) Step 7: Reinstall the wheel
(2:05) Step 8: Lower the riding mower
(2:17) Step 9: Reconnect the spark plug

Visit us at:

Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.

The video includes these parts and tools. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your mower.
Front Tire

Find riding mower parts at

Or click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician.

Transcript:
The first step to replacing a front tire is to turn the ignition switch off and remove the key. Lift the riding lawn mower hood and disconnect the spark plug wire. Block the rear tires to keep the riding mower from rolling. Position the jack under the frame and jack up the riding mower to raise the front wheel. Place a jack stand under the frame to support the riding mower. Remove the jack. Pull off the axle cover. Remove the retaining ring and then pull off the washer. Pull the tire off the axle. Pull off the back washer. Remove the valve stem cap. Remove the valve stem core, which lets any remaining air out of 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. Clean the wheel rim. Set 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. Use blunt tools to pry the tire to avoid damaging the new tire bead. Flip the rim and tire over. Lubricate the tire bead with liquid detergent. Pry the remaining side of the tire onto the rim. Fill the tire with air to seat the tire bead. Reinstall the valve stem core. Fill the tire fully with air. Reinstall the valve stem cap. Insert the back washer on the axle. Slide the wheel on the axle. Reinstall the washers and snap the retaining ring onto the axle. Push the axle cover onto the wheel. Push the jack under the frame and raise the riding mower, and then pull out the jack stand. Lower the riding mower to the ground. Remove the wood blocks from the rear tires. Reconnect the spark plug wire and lower the hood.

[ACFT]

Thank you Sears for putting this video out ! It was very helpful, & I miss my local Sears.

[sthpawil]

Most online videos that make this job look easy, like this video, are dealing with 2 ply tires. 4 ply tires are a completely different beast... you'll need real tire irons and a lot more umph to get 4 ply tires off and on.

[randyhlitvak]

Amazing job doing step by step removal! Thank you!

[MarkSchuster-ymiy]

The hardest thing is holding it still. The hole is approx .75’. I just happened to have a chunk of threaded rod .75’ t welded an angle iron to an old disk brak. Then drilled a hole in the center of the angle iron and welded the threaded rod inside. It’s set up so the angle iron can sit in a vice. The rod goes up through the break disk. Now I lay the wheel on the brake disk with the threaded rod going through the wheel like an axle. I have a short piece of plumbing pipe 3/4” I’d that I insert over the rod to keep from damaging the threads. I install the nut on top of all of that. I forgot to mention I have a washer and nut on the other side of the tire. I tighten the whole mess down. I’ve already broken th bead. Now I have a long flat bar I insert under the first part of the tire/rim after prying off the initial part of the bead. Then just like an automatic tire remover I hold the bar against my pipe and pull it around the edge comes right off. Continue on the other side. Not my idea saw it on YouTube. It takes the wrestle out of it.

[patrickkotara]

I don’t have a retaining ring like the video I have an eyelet looking locking pin. How do I get that off? (LT 1500)

[brian]

Thank you for an excellently presented video. Very much appreciated.

[PatrickFarringtonMusic]

Thanks for the video. I got the new tire on but even with compressed air it won’t seal, it just blows air out by the rim.

[owenhowson]

Great video! That's exactly what I needed to see. Thank you!

[catherinekieley]

My mower only has one washer, not two, or a retaining ring. Can’t get the wheel back on. Can I buy those and use them instead of the crap I have.

[shawnlockett]

Front tire won't go back on to where I can put the clip back on, am I doing something wrong

[rosewoodsteel]

Sorry, but this is nothing like the mount I had with the front tires on my John Deere. Installing the 2nd bead was incredibly hard and time consuming. -Nothing like the 1 minute, "it looks so easy" job done here.

[jacobwetherby]

CUT OFF THE OLD TIRE, use any circular saw, or grinder, use a good sized pry-tool (dull-rounded), to hold the tire away from the rim... cut the bead Also, use a large CLAMP, to break the bead... no air (hand ones work good)
Lastly, use some motor oil around (both sides) of the new tire bead, and STAND on it to put it ONTO the rim, (one side first, clamp, use a rag to clean up the oil later) firmly hold onto something (pole, table) while you stand on it.

[BlueMoonshine]

Disconnect the spark plug to change a tire? Seriously? Gee, people are really becoming dumber and dumber! Maybe you should add "Don't drink the content of the battery"!

[clarksville]

Thank you but uh it's just plain stupid to unplug the spark plug wire when you're just changing a tire...

[hansolsen]

Your skip the hard part how to get the Tyre to seal to the rim before air 🤬

[frankkoester]

Doesn't show HOW HE GOT the tire past HALFWAY on the opposite side. USELESS!

[alexiszagwyn]

Do not buy anything from sears...they will not refund your money if something goes wrong and you don't need the will not help you they keep saying call back.
DO NOT BUY SEARS WARRANTY