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HELP!! I can't get the bolt loose that's holding my blade on. It's an older Honda. I've tried everything I can think of, including buying that Blaster stuff. Have applied it several times without success. Any ideas????

John Mitchko said:

HELP!! I can't get the bolt loose that's holding my blade on. It's an older Honda. I've tried everything I can think of, including buying that Blaster stuff. Have applied it several times without success. Any ideas????

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Half inch drive breaker bar with a 6 foot pipe slipped over it.

Welcome to LawnMowerForum!

I moved your thread to the General Mower Discussion Forum. :smile:

Before you break off the bolt with the breaker bar try a tip given to me by my grandfather. Soak the bolt with a 50/50 mixture of anti-freeze and kerosene. Don't laugh, it works. When you reassemble, use anti-seize.

take a propane torch and heat the bolt up

I have found that a 1/2 inch air impact wrench will make short work of it, the vibration seems to free the bolt better than a break over bar. Just my opinion:smile:

Don't see anything unusual about the blade/holder parts...the 8 x 50 mm blade bolt may have rusted/decayed quite a bit over the years and fossil-ized itself. Be careful with too much leverage and don't break or bend anything.



A dab of neverseize on the bolt and use of a torque wrench set to 22-25 lb-ft should prevent problems in the future.

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

Thanks Robert. I'll use the diagram when I get the new blade. Another question, if I may... The brake lever is frozen. I'm trying to unfreeze it with that Blaster stuff but I may have to change it. How do I get it off without tearing the whole machine down? Any thoughts??

Robert Coats said:

Don't see anything unusual about the blade/holder parts...the 8 x 50 mm blade bolt may have rusted/decayed quite a bit over the years and fossil-ized itself. Be careful with too much leverage and don't break or bend anything.

A dab of neverseize on the bolt and use of a torque wrench set to 22-25 lb-ft should prevent problems in the future.

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

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John Mitchko said:

The brake lever is frozen. I'm trying to unfreeze it with that Blaster stuff but I may have to change it. How do I get it off without tearing the whole machine down? Any thoughts??

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Are you talking about the flywheel brake lever by the handlebar? How about a photo, so I can see exactly what you've got?

The flywheel brake lever has a cable/spring to hold it away from the handlebar when released. Is it frozen up next to the handlebar or away from it? Here's a drawing:

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

When I got the mower going the other day the flywheel brake lever by the handlebar wouldn't move to stop the motor. I had to poke the sparkplug off with the broom handle to stop it. So I got a straw to fit the Blaster stuff and am trying to pump it down the cable. If I have to take the cable off, I can't see how to get under the top of the mower to get at it. Seems like it's hidden under there with no easy access.

Robert Coats said:

Are you talking about the flywheel brake lever by the handlebar? How about a photo, so I can see exactly what you've got?

The flywheel brake lever has a cable/spring to hold it away from the handlebar when released. Is it frozen up next to the handlebar or away from it? Here's a drawing:

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

Click to expand...

To get to the flywheel brake and where the cable attaches, looks like the fuel tank and recoil need to come off. See illustration included here.

If the cable is bent, rusted, or beat-up, I'd just replace it. The Honda Part Number for the cable is 54530-VA9-000. Be sure to move the spring over when swapping out. A new spring is P/N 53411-VA2-010. Both parts can be ordered from any Honda Dealer; find one close to you with this link:

Find a Honda Dealer Link

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.

Taking off a Lawnmower Blade that is seized on the shaft can be tricky and dangerous. Most Honda dealers will should offer to take it off for you for free or a nominal charge. It is certainly worth saving a serious cut or worse. There is always the fear of the lawnmower starting from the rotation of the blade when someone doesn't properly ensure that the ignition system has been disabled (removing the spark plug).

At the shop a trained mechanic would likely use a penetrating oil combined with a 1/2" impact and proper safety gear on (safety gloves, glasses etc.).