Honda HRM 215: left back wheel doesn't rotate freely !! Help !

bigcut · Jun 14, 2018

Hi All,
I have a 20 year old HRM 215K3 SDA MZBB 6434438 that I removed the belt from 15 years ago do to the self propulsion malfunction. I've been using it as a PUSH mower ever since then. Lately, I get a chirping that sounds (without engine running) like it's coming from the wheels (worn bearings ?). In addition, the left rear wheel seems to bind up and sporadically won't turn freely. And then it will suddenly rotate freely for awhile and then hang up again.

Any thoughts/diagnosis/solutions/suggestions as to how to proceed ? I have not removed the rear wheel yet, as I'm waiting for snap ring pliers to arrive from Amazon. I know they'll be needed to do any in depth disassembly. Can you help out an old guy ?
Thanks,
John

Fibber2 · Jun 15, 2018

I'm not familiar with your model, but assuming the drive mechanism is similar to the modern units I'd proceed as follows:

The rear mounted transmission routes power to the rear wheels thru a gear reduction system located inside each rear wheel. With snap ring pliers remove the retainer on the tranny shaft, and remove the small gear. That gear has an internal 'one way clutch' that is likely dry as a bone and no longer moving freely. There's a spring loaded woodruff key in there that likely isn't retracting as it should. Even when it moves, you are encountering unnecessary friction. With that connection out of the way, you only have the ball bearing assembly of the wheel riding on the shoulder bolts. Work some heavy oil into the ball bearings (they aren't sealed) to ensure they move smoothly and reassemble. A little grease on the shoulder bolt to wheel bearing interface is also a good idea. Helps make it come apart easier, and allows some slip should the wheel bearings be bad as well.

bigcut · Jun 15, 2018

Fibber,
Thanks for the response....In terms of greasing, any suggestions as to what best to use ? I have 30 weight oil, white lithium spray grease, or heavy bearing grease.

Question as to where to apply the lubricant ? There's a round sleeve within the wheel that the axle goes into. I'm assuming that' one location you're suggesting to lubricate along with the woodruff. Any other specific locations ?

Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated.
John

Fibber2 · Jun 15, 2018

Remember that we are making the rash assumption that your's is the same as mine!

When you remove the 'C' clip and the pinion gear, the woodruff key will become a non-issue. Toss it too, as your goal is to make this a manual push with no resistance from legacy hardware.

My experience with lithium greases is that they dry out. Wheel bearing grease should be fine, but keep the coat light. The really heavy greases (I once made the mistake of using Husquvarna gear box grease!) can seem like you've used glue. I've also thinned grease with a tiny amt of light lube like a penetrating oil. Probably NOT the recommended procedure, but it works!

The round sleeve in the wheel that the shaft passes thru is either a sleeve bearing (cheap mowers) and that's what spins on the axle, or it's the interface between the axle and the wheel with a set of ball bearings hidden in there. If you can spin that sleeve within the wheel, you've got ball bearings hidden in there. You'll likely be able to induce some motor oil or similar heavy lube to pass between the outside of the sleeve and the wheel to lubricate those bearings. Wipe it down well first, and you should see a tiny gap for getting some oil in.

bertsmobile1 · Jun 15, 2018

Fibber2 said:
Remember that we are making the rash assumption that your's is the same as mine!

When you remove the 'C' clip and the pinion gear, the woodruff key will become a non-issue. Toss it too, as your goal is to make this a manual push with no resistance from legacy hardware.

My experience with lithium greases is that they dry out. Wheel bearing grease should be fine, but keep the coat light. The really heavy greases (I once made the mistake of using Husquvarna gear box grease!) can seem like you've used glue. I've also thinned grease with a tiny amt of light lube like a penetrating oil. Probably NOT the recommended procedure, but it works!

The round sleeve in the wheel that the shaft passes thru is either a sleeve bearing (cheap mowers) and that's what spins on the axle, or it's the interface between the axle and the wheel with a set of ball bearings hidden in there. If you can spin that sleeve within the wheel, you've got ball bearings hidden in there. You'll likely be able to induce some motor oil or similar heavy lube to pass between the outside of the sleeve and the wheel to lubricate those bearings. Wipe it down well first, and you should see a tiny gap for getting some oil in.

Because it is very dusty you need a dry lubricant.
Honda recommend the wheels being lubed every season but that requires one to do the impossible,,, RTFM.
I use dry lithium spray.
The 18 commercial contractors in my service area also use the same as they buy it from me, about 1 can every year or two.
You can also use graphite powder. Teflon flakes and a lot of stuff you will fine ad push bike shops, but none of it will be cheap enough for the average mower owner.

bigcut · Jun 17, 2018

Bert,
Thanks for the response.....I followed Fibber's suggestions and used motor oil for the race and applied axle grease between the axle and the metal sleeve. Had I received your note earlier, I would have tried the graphite. The wheels have a metal sleeve in the center that the axle passes thru. There appears to be a race that the metal sleeves fit/pressed into that I guess contains bearings. A few questions: How are you suggesting that I lubricate the race and the axle ? Is it the dry lithium spray ? And, how do you suggest I get the dry lithium down into the race that surrounds the metal sleeves.
Please advise.
Thanks John

bertsmobile1 · Jun 17, 2018

I Use a spray tube on the end of the can which will force the lube through tiny cracks.

If you search Rear Wheel locking or won't reverse or won't pull back on the honda section of this site you will find a wealth of detailed instructions, including Honda service sheets and all sorts of goddies.
Probably 1/3 of all the posts on the Hond section are about rear wheels locking up.
All due to lack of proper maintenance.

bigcut · Jun 17, 2018

Thanks, Bert, I'll give it a try next time I do the wheels.

Fibber2 · Jun 19, 2018

As an engineer, my gut feeling is to trust the judgement of my fellow engineers - the guys that designed and built this mechanism. They might not be always perfect, but I believe they know what they are doing. So when they said grease, they probably meant grease. If you deviate, you do so at your own risk. The bushings on both sides of the pinion, when combined with sufficient grease, seem to hold a reasonable seal and keep dirt out. I don't believe a dry lube would protect the spring loaded woodruff key, key slot, and inner eccentric mechanism as well as a light wet lube. But hey, that's just my feeling on this. Do as you see fit.

For this application, I used Park Tools Polylube 1000 - the same stuff that protects the small bearings on my bicycles and other systems that call for a high shear strength light grease.

True, the exposed gear teeth might benefit from a dryer lube to keep from attracting too much fine dirt, but the one-way drive mechanism should be lubed as prescribed.

bigcut · Jun 19, 2018

Fibber,
I did as you described in you earlier post. I removed the snap rings and pinion gears, woodruff, etc., as you suggested. It sure is easier now using it as a push mower.

I applied a small amount of axle grease to the axle. For the bearing race, I sprayed WD40 several times to try and clean the internal bearings and then carefully used motor oil between the race and the metal sleeves. I no longer hear the chirping and the back wheel binding is gone. I'll check out you suggested "Polylube".

My Honda just keeps on running. Wife says I bought it new in 93. The tires are completely bald and it's not the prettiest, yet still does it job. Before that, I had a LawnBoy which only lasted a few years. It had a side discharge/bagger which complicated things going around trees, flower beds, etc. But, this Honda just keeps on running. B/c of it's age, I don't want to put any money into it. If and when it does die, I will definitely buy another Honda, which will probably out live me.

Thanks again for your help and I'll look at the PolyLube.
John

Honda HRM 215: left back wheel doesn't rotate freely !! Help !

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