Great job, and thanks. A few points to add: 1. Instead of completely removing the deck, I just dropped the two rear lift pins and left the front center connected. 2. The fuel tank isn't fastened in, and will tip up and slide out enough to route the left side cable easily. 3. My 255 is about three years old, and the replacement cables from JD have thicker eyes where they connect to the lift lever. Make certain you also get the new longer pin for it when you get the cables. Again, thanks. It looks more complicated than it turns out to be once you get into it.

Thanks mate, this video was extremely helpful. I just did basically the same thing. I had to remove the bracket that holds the deck lift lever so I could hold the bolt head to release one of the six bolts you mention. I would like to say that cleaning/pressure washing/blowing off rubbish before you start is very helpful. Its also helpful to take pics with your phone as you go so you can see exactly where the cables have to go back in. Also like to say if I ever find the fella who designed this I am gunna give him a good slappin'. How ridiculous of a design. Really, the most likely part to fail first is gunna be these little tiny cables swinging back and forth until they break. Then you have to pull most of the mower apart to replace a simple lift cable lift system. I am not impressed! Or maybe it was designed this way on purpose to get more after sale repairs? This mower has quite a few design faults, like, its nearly impossible not to overfill the gas tank. The back motor guard is not strong enough where it bolts onto the main frame and is likely to crack or bust off. Needless to say I will never buy a John Deere anything ever again. Not even their overpriced toys. Rant over.

Appreciate you making this video. I wish you have filmed it from start to finish, but you confirmed my worse fears: It's a darn big job! John Deere needs to improve on this as I think it is a defect in design. Again: I am glad I found your video. Thanks again.

Thanks for this video mate! Only one I could find on this. Just snapped my cable on my 21 z355e and the worst part is it’s only just done 80 hours! Have also done a belt at 60 hours despite always blowing and cleaning the deck. Not to happy, buying John Deere for the name and had nothing but shit problems that should not happen with such a new mower despite regular cleaning and maintenance upkeep.

Thanks a million times for this video, I am changing the cables on a Z335E and it's the same process for it. Got to the point of lifting the bed of the mower and looked up a video. Again, thanks a million times👍

Man, I’ve been cursing the unwashed beasts of the John Deere design team for about the last 2 hours. That’s over now. Thank you Sir.

You the man I've been trying 45 minutes to figure this out Hope it wouldn't go that far

Thank you Larry, I was stumped when I saw the metal plate holding the cables.

I get to start this on Monday, Sept 18, 2017. I bought the Tech Manual on a DVD, and it does not show the procedure to the detail you do. It doesn't even show the procedure, just a schematic. If you lived close by you could have a job, Monday. Again, great job. I think I and my helper will try to film this from start to finish. I really appreciate you putting this up here, and I'm smarter for watching this for the second time. Thanks again.

Thank you so much for this! I would not have known where to begin. With your video I was able to successfully replace this in under 2 hours. Thanks again!

You have no idea how big of a help this video was.

The left hand trunnion broke on my 355. I was shocked that Deere used such a garbage cast part and put it under so much sheer force! I have the 5 year bumper to bumper warranty so they came and picked it up 8 days ago. Maybe I'll see it back here by Christmas. It's 1 May 19 now. This is the 5th time it's been in the shop and only has 36 hours on it. I baby this thing and it lives indoor and it's broken more than it mows. It even ate 2 right hand transmissions and they found a spun bearing in a spindle this time too. A $3300 questionable investment.

Great work, viewed twice and got it nailed! We did take off the mounting for the height selector handle off to take out a 7th bolt which made it easier to lift and get access to the block holding the cable ends. Now to go to eBay and get a new cable. Thanks again😃

Thanks for posting , my Z335E has 120 hours on the clock and 2 years old.This is the second time this cable has broken. Even though I push my machine hard cutting scrub and on rough ground I think it calls for a design improvement, especially since replacement is such a pain in the arse. First time was under warranty but not the second time. I would just add that I didn't need to remove the brake mount. To get the long cable through the tight hole I unscewed the nut and linkage attachment. Time to treat her a bit gentler. Cheers

Great video Larry, thank you

Thanks! Just replaced mine today and this helped a ton!

Thanks for posting - very helpful with my Z235.... What a painful chang out!

Thanks for all the positive feedback, glad it helped

my buddy has a z355e that just snapped a cable. It's under warranty. But the dealer is an hour away... Wow, looks like a lot of work. Thanks for the video

Thank you! Going to doing this in a few days. Very helpful.

Thanks a lot, great info, just replaced a cable on a 335e , took a while but I got done, better than taking it to JD. Thanks again

Thank you. This really helped

Thank u so much for ur video it helped so much

Thanks for delivering the bad news. I suspected as much and tried to avoid it ,but alas, I had to do what you did. I think your way is the only way. Crappy design but will be much much easier next time. Mine is a z235 but it's exactly the same. Thanks for the video, you did a great job!!

Thanks for posting this....very helpful👌

Very helpful - thanks

thanks my 335e just snapped it cable and i was wondering how to get that bracket out.

Thank you thank you thank you.

It's not necessary to remove the blade deck, but this was very helpful.

What did I do wrong? After installing the new lift cables the lever is super hard to pull up to lift the mower deck up

I give up just started using heavy duty Zip ties

Do you think it is necessary to have a mower lift? I don’t have ramps but do have two jacks but don’t fancy that mower falling on me while underneath jacking with the cables. I can go get some ramps but wondering if I would be better off with a mower lift? Was your set up pretty stable?

I wish you would’ve done a video on how to put it back together.

Question??? If 1 cable breaks and needs replacement is it likely that the other will follow soon after? Would you recommend doing both cables at the same time?

Was the cables pre adjusted,when you purchased the new ones

Thanks, my left side just broke

Looks like a royal pain in the backside.

i did it... pain in the butt... who the hell decided to do this stupid crap.. no more john deere for me.. ever