OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Bending an axle/wheel holder back into shape?

Hey all,

I recently got hold of an alloy base from the mid 90s, and have noticed that one of the front wheels is slightly turned outward. Just wondering what the best method is for putting it to rights without screwing it up?

I use a pair of vise grips on the end of the axle stub with a piece of rag over it and gingerly bend it back until I'm visually satisfied then stick a wheel on to further examine it for satisfactory alignment. It's not a car, so unless it's obviously scraping our steering the mower, it's hard to go wrong.
Don't forget the grain of the lawn can steer the mower too so a visual inspection will suffice.

Big shifter does it for me

Thanks fellas. I will give it a shot and see how we go. The wheels are in decent nick, but the bearings are shot. After taking them off, the balls fell everywhere.

Hi Sapper,
that's why I now keep trashed wheels. Even their bearing sets cab still be good to feed better wheels.

A length of steel pipe works for me...

G'day Gadge,
Does it have to fit exactly over the stub or is it ok to be a bit larger in diameter?

Hey guys,

Since the shifter was at hand, I just used it to bend a couple of wheel stubs back to where they should be. I used the hang up ring on the end over the axle, and with a bit of force they are back in alignment. Just waiting on some bearings now. You wouldn't credit it, the wheels on this base I picked up are the type that requires not four, but eight bearings, 2 back to back.

Sapper, won't the pressure cause damage to the circlip? They must be incredibly strong to withstand it.

I also use a bit of pipe and it can be larger than the axle stub. if the wheels are solid sometimes i just grab a hold of the wheel and bend it back into place.

I never thought of that idea. Maybe using an old 8" wheel on the axle will aid in this method.

Hi all,

I must admit I very much support Norm's concept of using a 12 inch Shifter or larger if required so as to bend back the plate that is normally bent or the point where the plate is welded to the cross shaft and not place any stress upon the axle itself.

Cheers,
BB.

Hello BB,

I tried seeing how I could get a shifting spanner on the plate itself, but there was not enough room between the plate and the deck itself to gain leverage. It just wouldn't fit. I admit I was a little worried about the axle, but this time I got lucky with no damage done on either side. If someone could outline in more detail exactly where they place the (insert tool), and how they get sufficient leverage, I am all ears (or eyes in this case).

The wheels in this case were bent outwards away from the mower. If they were bent inwards, I could see how leverage could be gained.

Hi Sapper,
you just put the jaws lengthwise , closed up to fit snug on the axle, and then you can bend the flat bar to wherever you want, takes 2 seconds

Thanks Norm, I will use that method next time I come across this problem.