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How do you remove a John Deere riding lawnmower rear wheel?

I have a model STX30 John Deere riding lawnmower. The rear wheels are on a keyed shaft and supposedly held on by a split keeper ring. I removed the keeper ring but the wheel rim collar is frozen onto the keyed shaft. I have soaked it with penetrating oil. Heated it and sprayed with oil. There is no place to attach a puller. I made a collar, with four set screws, to fit over the wheel rim collar and used that to attach a wheel puller. I was able to get the rim half way off but now my makeshift collar keeps slipping off the rim collar. I think the key is jammed and not allowing the wheel to come off of the shaft. Is it possible to drive the key out from the front to back using a punch or will that only make things worse? Any suggestions?

D P Beaird
July 2006

John Deere John Deere STX30 Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Remove Rear Wheel

I have read the above answers and still the wheel will NOT come off. Why did they make this crap so hard. (unbelievable)! So I got the the washer and slip keeper ring off. Does this so called key go all the way to0 other wheel? Geez? so what now I have spayed WD-40 all over it. So what next.. I guee taking it to shop so JOHN D$$R$ can make even more money off you.
I guess Ill have to keep filling that right tire up with air until I can find time to take it to JOHN D$$R$.
Any good answers to help on how to remove the tires. So P Bainbridge how do they take tire off?????
Thanks also want to say I'm sorry in a fowl mood. I have 3 lawns to cut and cant get wheel off. I guess all I should do is laugh.

Da Picka's
May 2021

i work for john deere and when they assemble these type of wheels they are as you say just slid onto the shaft a key is inserted which is then retained by a c clip from what you say it looks like the wheel/axle/key are rusted together, what you are doing is probably ok but if you drive the key inwards i think it will achieve little, you dont say as to why you require the wheel off . if its to replace or repair the tyre you should be able to do this without removal of wheel if it is for another reason i suggest you follow the course you are on lubricant , wd40 heat etc if all else fails you could get your collar welded into place the only other thing i can suggest is raise machine up and try to drive them off from inside outwards with a drift/blunt chisel

p bainbridge
October 2006

Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of trying to free the wheel by hammering on it. I did that on my Murray and the whole axle came out. Like you, my wheel was frozen to the axle. I have freed the wheel from the axle, but I have no idea how to remount the axle now.

F. Graves
July 2006