✅Click here for a can to mix your penetrating fluid in ➜ amzn.to/3FWGBM4 ✅Click here for a new fuel cap ➜ amzn.to/2zn4ARK ✅Click here for a common air filter ➜ amzn.to/3iLNFwr For more videos like this, check out: 👉How To Free Up A Seized Bolt or Nut ➜ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/maucd7Bhm7PPY5c.html 👉Proper Way To Tip A Lawn Mower Over ➜ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8t1icyY2LzVonk.html 👉How To Fix a Lawn Mower That Quits, Dies or Stalls After 2 Minutes ➜ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l7OjdMeHytjGpqc.html You can connect with Steve here too: ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/ ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon ✅Follow Steve on TIKTOK ➜ www.tiktok.com/@stevessmallenginesaloon

I work at a Honda Power Equipment dealership, and this is a common issue with the HRR216 mowers. When you tip the mower on it's side, there is a little plastic seal on each side of the transmission shaft (axle) where you lubricated it. You can take a small screw driver and pop that seal out, then use your penetrating oil, and pop the seal back in again. We actually do this during a routine tune-up if the machine is hard to roll backward. Over time, the problem will slowly get worse until that rear bearing needs to be replaced. The parts are cheap. The bearing assembly already installed in the wheel adjuster arm is under $10 (US) for each side. When you change those out, the machine rolls backward like it did when it was new. Love your channel, Steve!

Great tip because that’s a really common problem on Hondas and changing the bushing is a pain in the backside unless absolutely necessary.

Have a Honda with this problem. Couple of years ago, I took it to a dealer for a tuneup and fix for the reverse problem. They told me it was SUPPOSED to be hard to pull backward. Basically stopped using it until I found your fix. Genius! Took me thirty seconds, but I’m old!

Thanks, Steve. I had that exact problem several years ago. Since my yard is too small for a self-propelled mower, I removed drive-related components until it rolled backwards easily. Wish I had seen this first. You are one of the good ones.

I had that same problem with mine. I thought it was one of those crazy safety features they keep adding to mowers.

I may have forgotten to thank you. Wife and I were driving in the next neighbor and saw one for a county pickup. The owner was outside and we asked and asked if we could have it, he said "sure sure". I didn't even know it rolled backwards at first, but saw the video and cleaned the axle with compressed air and lubricated it. I was able to get it running, but gas was leaking from the carburetor. I have a woodshop and made a new gasket, note they are very thin. That worked fine and now we use the mower all the time. Nice mowers, but I think the weak link is the front wheel toe-in problems, which I fixed by tweaking the heavy brackets, which took some heavy hits from a big mallet!

A few years back I bought a composite deck honda that wouldn't pull back...seller said he took it to 2 honda dealerships and both said it needed a transmission. I took the wheels apart and after cleaning up the mechanism it was the engagement cable. The cable was frayed and wouldn't let the spring release transmission to pull backwards.$20 cable later it ran perfect

This solution freed up my mower in 30 minutes. Thanks, Steve.

I had a Honda push mower that was a pain to pull backwards. I gave it to my neighbor when I hurt my knee and got a tractor. He has used it for two seasons now and I see him pulling back hard on the mower, so I am going to pass on this tip to him and maybe it will loosen up. Hopefully it works so he has an easier time mowing with it. He's in his upper 70's so easier is always better.

Yep, had the problem of the wheels locked when I pulled the mower backwards. Tried your fix, and it worked well ! The other you tube people were taking the axle out, which is a big painful time sink. Your fix is tons easier! Thank you!!!

Thanks Steve, ONCE AGAIN your site saves frustration and bam, done. Gotta put you on speed dial. Thanks again

I have that problem with mine now, first two years it was pretty easy to back it up, but this spring when I cut my lawn low after winter it was really hard to backup. Glad for the fix you have shown, makes life easier.

A suggestion for when things get so bad you do have to tear into the bushing/axle: after cleaning everything up and polishing the rust off the axle, lubricate the ends of the axle with anti-seize compound before putting the bushing back on and re-assembling. it's highly water resistant and will slow rust formation. I've found I can go a lot longer before things tighten up again...and then you can try Steve's easy suggestion to get the wheels turning again.

My thanks also. Already had to mess around in there to replace a wheel bracket. Didn't want to do that again. I'm going to keep spraying that routinely this summer.

I have a 30 year old Toro GTS recycler with the same issue. I will give that a try with the ATF. I found it was the engagement pins that would get sticky and not always release when pulling in reverse. I took it apart and regreased with standard grease, so maybe the ATF concoction you used is a better alternative. BTW. The only problem with the Toro is age. I think I need to replace the ignition. It always starts within the first pull or two when cold, but takes several pulls if the engine is warm. I suspect the ignition gets weaker when itis warm. Love your channel and the support April provides to make you the shinning rock star!

Hey Steve, I've been working at a small engine shop for the past couple years and have worked out a good trick to cure this problem. Instead of just putting oil over those bushing caps, just get yourself a pick and remove the cap, blow out and clean out the inside and pack some grease inside. I've had them to the point where they wouldn't even roll backwards and would scrape on the ground but this clears it right up. Every time.

Good to see that was the problem with yours. Unfortunately, I had the transmission fail. Pulled trans all the way out of the lawnmower (ala no bushings)... vice grip on the shaft... no turn (bummer). Bought a new transmission. New trans was failed out of the box. Sent it back and tried another one... it was good. If you need to do replace the underside stuff.. take gas and oil out of the mower and turn it UPSIDE down between a few sawhorses. Make sure you have some decent snap-ring pliers, and get new snap rings from Honda... including the wheel assemblies... the snap rings are not standard !

Great tip, much better than taking the wheels off and removing the driveshaft to sand it down. Thank you.

Nice solution, Steve! I use to have this exact problem with my Honda mower. However, after I cut the lawn now, I take my leaf blower and blow any debris that has accumulated under the mower in that area around the transmission bushings. No problems since then. An ounce of prevention is worth...

Between this issue and constant surging problems, I really disliked owning my Honda mower. Also, the carb is a PITA to remove compared to other outdoor power equipment.

Steve, I just tried your quick fix for oiling the shaft on the rear wheels, it worked like the proverbial charm! Thanks so much for the Honda Hack! From a fan in Texas!

Thanks for sharing this fix Steve. I took my HRX to a Honda Power Equipment dealer while in year 2 of the 6 year warranty for this problem. They told me nothing was wrong with it. They probably didn’t care because I bought my mower from HD?

Very Timely for me. I'll give that a shot. I have a Husqvarna/Honda push mower that I just had to replace the belt and rear drive on and it's been impossible to pull back. I think it might be a combination of that and the belt I got might be too tight. Even with the tension off, it still wants to self propell a little bit.

Hi Steve just wanted to say you have helped me so many times I just wanted to thank you. I’m a master electrician with 30 yr’s exp. & have many other talents. But! I am not a very good engine mechanic never have been. I am always impressed how simply you present your information @ how I’m able to grasp it. Many thanks pat

Well I did this "fix". May be a little better. It's still not the same as another HRM 215 I have. Have 5 of them! Love your videos! Great videos, great Beer!!

I have watched 4 videos on taking the thing apart to fix this problem. I was about to give it a shot, until I saw your video. I cannot wait to get home to try this first. What kind of lubrication do you use in the spray? I have WD-40 and some silicone spray lube.

I had this problem with my Honda and the wheels wouldn’t turn backwards at all.and tried WD 40, 3-IN-1 oil and other lubricants and none worked more than a week or two. I even had the dealer adjust the cable with no improvement. I tried your concoction and the mower works fine. There is a little resistance rolling backwards, but it worked the entire summer after only one application! Thank you!

I have found this to happen on regular mowers with each wheel as junk builds up between the hole and the axle. Sometimes the drag gets so bad it feels like you are pushing through mud. A little squirt of lubricant in the hole takes care of the issue. So i can see how the elements would would easily combine to mess up the works on a self propelled unit.

This was a lot easier fix than what other u-tube channels suggested

Steve has saved me a fortune on doing small engine repairs down here in these Tennessee Hills, running a farm and small Dental Practice is a lot of overhead, every cent counts. With the savings, I am able to do more Pro Bona Dental work here in my community. So I will pop open a bottle of Moose Head and have a toast Steves Small Engine Salloon.

Had same problem, Honda dealer even had Honda engineer check on it, neither could get it fixed. So I put it on the street and bought a MTD. My mower had a different type drive.

Thanks Steve ,i have the same lawnmower and it has been hard to pull back ever since i got it (bought it used) tomorrow i will be following your instructions--thank you so very much for all the times you have helped! Cheers!

Amazing! This fixed my old lawn boy 670530. Much appreciated! Please keep up the good tips!

Thanks buddy. I got a lawn boy that does that.

I have one of those mowers. The one I have is a HONDA and has an aluminum body with a huge crack and a big chunk missing. The motor is PERFECT, and I really like the fact that the blade doesn't turn until you squeeze the handle. I've been doing small engine repair for about 10 years now and I can't find another body for it.

what an easy fix to a problem I've been battling the last 2 seasons. love my Honda great mower but this problem of hard to pull backward started over a year ago. I blamed myself because I tie my drive bar down so I don't have to restart every time I need to move or pick something up and thought that was why it pull back hard. I went out and oil it as soon as I watched this video, and it worked like a charm thank you for the great and simple fix.

Tried penetrating oil and gave immediate results. Thank you.

That is exactly what my currant Honda lawn mower is doing but much worse. It will not even roll backwards. I will give it a try and hope its not to late. Thank you Steve perfect timing on this very informative video!!!

Super useful as usual, Steve. Just scored a well-kept of those exactly; same issue. Thank you again.

Just bought a used HRR216, back tires are crazy worn out , now i know why, will do your fix before oredering new back wheels. Thanks man.

I have the same mower and yes I have the same problem... Thanks Steve.

I tore it apart a couple seasons ago, worked like a charm, glad I don’t have to do that again however. Thanks Steve!

I have a yard machines 3 in 1 lawn mower that had that problem only when it was running. When it was off it roll backwards very easily. The self-propelled feature was extremely touchy and when it came to pulling it backwards it was nearly impossible. I finally just took the drive wheels off and swapped them with free wheeling wheels. So no more self-propelled but at least I can pull it backwards.

I had the same problem. years later I found out the handles got bent from being transported on the trailer gate. lived with it for 5 years and finally fix it my self

Smart man I've been using that stuff for 40 years

I thoroughly wash the underside of my Honda HRX 217 mower with a water hose after every mowing. Next, I run the motor with the blade engaged for about two minutes, which rids the mower of a lot of water. Finally, I turn the mower on it's side and spray the wheel bearings, the blades and related springs, and all of the axle and transmission connections with WD-40 using a spray bottle. (Buying WD-40 by the gallon saves a ton of money.) I have done this routinely since I got the mower new over ten years ago. So far, so good. 👍

Thanks Steve, I have one doing that now, sales guy (dip stick) said modern mowers don’t like to be pulled backwards 🤬😡

My mower was doing this, and your tip fixed it. Thank you!

You just saved me a couple hundred bucks. I have that same issue with my Honda mower, and I was going to give it to my son and buy a new electric mower.

Try Fluid Film on those nasty bushings Sprays quick , penetrates slow, does what others don't

Dang Steve! You ARE the MAN!

Thank you Steve! I have this issue with my Honda. I will give it a shot next weekend.

I have one of these, and I noticed it resisting my pull from the first day I bought it. I hope you've helped me. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Thanks for this tip, I have a Husqvarna with the same issue, hit it with the penetrating oil and problem solved

Thank you! You remind me of Bill Murrary!!!

Cool, and great tip about how to tilt a push mower on the carb side! I have a Black Max pressure washer with that issue, but it's wheel bolts tightening from pushing forward. I'm going to put some locktight on the threads to see if that does the trick. I have adjusted the bolts, but the wheels are not allowing backward motion again. The wheels dig ruts in the lawn, and moving it backward on the shed floor and on the driveway are a pain. Maybe some lube in there would help, too. I'll take the wheels off one at a time and inspect what should work. Tell April Hi for me. Thanks again, Steve.

You helped me with a bothersome problem, again, Steve. Thank you!

Look At The Awesome Weather In Canada.I I Love This Podcast. April's Small Engine Saloon. You Rock.Happy Summer Everyone. Richard.

I have this mower, I have this problem and yes you helped BIG TIME , thank you Steve

Great video, Steve! That's could have been my mower you worked on. I've been building my arms and legs with Honda every time I pull it backward. No more! It gets the "Steve Treatment" tomorrow! Cheers!

Awesome...must do that to mine. Mine is brutal to pul backwards. My late father used to do some grumbling. lol

My special recipe is 50% 91 Octane non ethanol, 50% used atf (usually burnt because I drive a dodge) and 50% maple syrup. The maple syrup helps the atf stick around and the 91 just smells good. If you're concerned with my math just remember I'm a Canadian American so I'm using metric percentages.

fought that for years but it was a lawn boy i think. ty steve, my answer was to slam the mower down. it did not fix it but boy did i feel better.

I have the same issue with my Toro. I'm going to see of this fixes it. Thanks

Thanks for this! my Honda is hard to pull back, I will give this a try!

Finally been fighting this since it was new even took it to the well known lawnmower shop asked them about it, they blew me off. Anyway thanks works perfect now.

Thanks Steve! For the gas issue. Is it good to turn off the gas knob, run the engine until it stops so there is no gas left in the carburetor and then tip the mower on the gas side to lubricate the axle? I always learn something from your videos-please keep on posting :)

That's what I've been doing with this same problem...and it has worked so far.

Steve, send me your weed eater and I can fix it for you so that you can get that sidewalk edged😜. Love your videos!

Legend! This has been driving me nuts for ages.

I have a ingenious way we could "feel" the resistance, tilt a piece of plywood with the mower on it until it rolls backwards then lube it then repeat. Not that it helps now 😂 Thank youfl for the video, I'm sure we'll run across this soon enough

Lubrication is a good thing.

Got the exact same mower as that and it is doing the same thing, awesome keep up the good videos

I have a Honda and a Toro with that same problem. I will be trying this. Thanks for the tips and all the information you share with us. Watching your videos from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Hi Steve, I've got an Asuka HydroStatic (Very similar to Honda Pro Mower) one that will not pull backwards .... unless the engine is running ... weired. I've given this a few squirts of WD40. still wont budge backwards. Still no roll back. I'm sure it should roll backwards though. Engine on tick over and it rolls back just fine ?!?

Steve, I'm a senior with a Honda walk behind mower that is a b*t#h to pull backward. Thank you so much for this tip!

I live in the coastal Redwood forest, no lawn. I love your videos, just wish you could drink a local (to you) beer, support the small businesses!

Hi Steve, great fix, thanks. I have a SARP 21" (ex Honda?) that sometimes won't stop when I release the drive lever - is this the same fix? If I lift the rear of the mower a little and drop it, it releases the drive and the wheels stop!

You rock, Steve! Thank you!!

It finally rolls backward !! Thanks a million !!

Hello again Steve Thank you for another Great Video 👍 That is a lot better than what I've seen on KZfaq before. A lot less work 😊 Again thank you

had a similar model, same issue. pulled the back wheels off, cleaned and greased everything. a bit involved but made a world of difference.

It worked. Unbelievable easy fix

Have that machine and a HRM 215 that is doing that exact thing. Ill do this "fix" and let you know! Thanks Steve!!!

Your tips are always informative and spot on Steve! Thanks. 👍👍

Sometimes after turning my mower onto its side to clean the undercarriage, this problem happens. It has so far always loosened up again after mowing for a short while, usually fifteen minutes or so. Hope it holds up for me, as I'm not that mechanically inclined. I had a similar Honda mower prior to my current one, and it never had this problem.

I have a similar Honda lawnmower and if I engage the self propel it does not stop.I had a new transmission installed but mechanic is no longer available. If I lift the rear wheels and gently drop mower a couple of times it stops self propelling. Sounds like something is broken or lose

thanks 4 tip

Thanks, I've always believed if it moves Lube it, unless it's high tech. OMG, I havent even seen Lucky Lager since the 70s...got stories.

why did engine oil come out of the carburetor when I laid it on the left side?? Reply

Tranny fluid and acetone, great tip, I'll be using this mix for lots of stuff now - Thanks Steve! I've got an old (early 90's) Craftsman GT6000 Garden Tractor that always has something that needs to be freed up, this will make life easier.

I've got a Honda Izzy heh and bent my crankshaft could you do a video on stripping out and replacing the crankshaft and what other problems to look out for when rebuilding the engine❤

Thank you Steve. Excellent tips. Thank you for making & posting this video.

Hey mate, my self propel on my Briggs and straton mower is stuck on. Can you do a video on this please or would you know why this is happening ?

Need some help hav a simpson pressure washer with a honda gx390 its all black i bought a electric starter kit but the mag on the flywheel is in a different spot and it dont start now i got a big hole that i drilled for.the starter is there a different kit for the black engines ??? I bought the pressure washer 3 years ago all the flywheels r pre 2011 and they changed the design after 2011 I guess

Four squirts of PB and presto mower can be rolled backwards again! Thanks for this!

1 sip job! Nice tip on homemade penetrating oil!

Hi Steve, I don't know if you have touched on this before if so could you point me to the video? Anyway I just bought a John Deere Z turn tractor. It came loose on my trailer on the ride home. Could you please go over the best tie down method for a zero turn mower on a utility trailer. Thanks so much.

Who'd-a-thunk? Great tip!! Thanks again Steve!!!!!