Maybe post which model Honda you have?

OOPS- Didn't look at the title!

go to the link below-
On the upper left menu (catalog), select Honda.
Pick your poison-

It's probably something in the ratchet mechanism. Build up of grass or???

Here is a link that might be useful: Hayward

As Bill said the ratchet ing gear that drives the wheel could be in need of cleaning and lubing. Worn wheel bearings and loose pivot arms will contribute as well.

The gear on the right should turn freely ccw, and you should hear a click, and should lock in the cw direction.
It will take a snap ring pliers to remove the gear and
clean the shaft and key

Fish

"What does ccw stand for?" It's NOT clock wise.

There's more to the model# than just HRM215! Like HRM215PDA
The rest tells the type of propulsion system, electric start etc. if any.
It's hard to tell you anything about the drive system if it's a push mower, hydro, manual etc. if you don't tell us what kind it is.

Any other suggestion as to how to go about repairing the privot problem?

Reading the prior posts would be a good place to start.

The exact model number is HRM215 HF. Hope someone can assist me.

Thanks.

Hello harry wild.

I'm a small fry(far from being a pro) here on the Lawn Mowers Forum. I am trying my best to assist you, but I can't seem to locate any reference for Honda model HRM215 HF.
I thought Honda tagged "HF" on their old rider mowers.
Did you purchase the Honda HRM215 HF in the USA?

Try this link. It may help you.
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/

Hi all,

I got brief instruction from a seller in Ebay; but I ran into trouble with after removing the snap ring on the small gear on the tranmission axle.

How does one go about removing the gear(socket) to access the half moon spring? The spring provides the privoting on the lawnmower. I try pulling it out with a pair of pliers but it does not budge. I don't know if I should use more force or there is another way to do it? Any one know?

I purchase my Honda at Home Depot back in 1994 for $827.00. It was the top of the line model.

Thanks.

Here what I have done below:

Here is what I have done.

I have replace my privot arm with a brand new one.
And inserted a new "half moon key" in the slot with
the spring. Add a new wheel too!

After all of this; it still locks the wheel when I try
to privot the lawmower and turn left to start a new
run; without the self-propell.

Can you offer some suggestions as to what I can check
to unfree the right wheel? My style of mowing is that
I release the self-propell when I get to the end of
the row and manual turn the mower around using my own
power. The mower is usually at a stop when I conduct
the turning action and now it just locks up and will
not turn until I move it in a straight line again!

Do you know what controls the wheel when the mower is
not in motion and you conduct a turning action. It is
either the small socket or the wheel itself. What
function does the half moon key play? I not sure
myself? Also, the Honda technican told me to remove
the WD40 and use grease in the spring because WD40
rust the parts he saids.

Thanks for any assistances.

Does the right wheel actually drive when the transmission is engaged? What I am getting at is possibly the clutch gear is reversed. WHat happens is the little key locks the gear onto the shaft when the transmission is applying power. If you were to try and turn the clutch gear with the wheel off you will notice it freely turns in one direction.

Just to update you on my progress - it done! Here is the solution for me that made it work. The small socket/gear does not have to face the same way/direction as the other side of the wheel. I did make some minor mistakes in that I one side of the axle is shorter/longer then the other side. But it works and that all that counts!

Here is my repair below:

I installed a new pivot arm on the right side and on the left side I replaced the bushings on the left pivot arm and save myself $15.00. It was much easier know how the right side went on and off. It is really easy to do!

The wheels move much easier now. When it is in self-propelled; it seem faster too! I am very happy! I think I saved myself around $120-$150 in labor charges!

In summary, the mower operates like new! The bushings really made a big impact on the drivable of the mower!!
I am very happy that it works that nicely after the repair. New tires are nice too!

Thanks you all for your replies! It keep me going; hunting for knowledge to make it work!

My brother purchased a new Honda HRX217 HMA (power start) 21" Mower. Since he is so particular concerning care of his equipment, I decided to use his machine to test the quality of Honda Equipment. Will it live up to the reputation? As background, I am an engineer.

The mower was purchased on May 11th 2007. The cost was roughly $900 including tax. This is the top of the line non-commercial unit. I installed a new SenDec digital hour meter to track use. The lawn it mows is sub one acre and almost entirely flat ... with a very light slope on the front lawn. Water is inexpensive and plentiful here in Nebraska, so it is watered and fertilizes heavily and mown roughly once a week.

First Problem: On the second use the mower unexpectedly sputtered and died. When restarted the mower the power drive (a hydrostatic unit on these mowers) failed to work at all. The drive on these units runs off a belt from the engine shaft. The belt drives a pulley on the transmission (rear wheel drive) and speed is adjusted by a cable that rotates a shaft on the transmission that meters the fluid in the transmission. This shaft has a spring to maintain tension. The dealer claimed the belt came off and a spring fell off -- perhaps because of a stick -- and tried to charge him an $85 service fee.
(I had inspected the mower before it went back to the dealer -- and could not find any obvious problem.)

At this time the mower had 3 hours on it.

Today, on the first use after repair, the mower sputtered and died -- and again the engine immediately restarted -- but the drive system "Hydrostatic Cruise Control Transmission" failed to operate. I believe the engine stalled because of extreme load. I believe the hydrostatic drive is responsible for the excessive load.

This time I will carefully examine the unit and take photographs prior to taking it back to the dealer.

Anybody else have experiences like this?

I plan on carefully documenting costs and problems with this mower on a separate web page.

Comments on quality of design and ergonomics:
1) The belt and springs controlling the blade rotation and the hydrostatic drive are exposed at the center of the mower deck. On Toro units this area has a separate cover.
Will this exposure cause additional problems?

2) My brother has commented that the mower clogs easily with grass accumulating in the small area where the mulch door closes.

3) In moderate mowing (1 to 1.5" removal) the mower tends to leave a trail of built-up grass clippings at the edge of the mower. The buildup is heavy enough to damage the turf ... and the stripes on the lawn are unsightly. My brother is going to figure out what causes this. Owners of a previous model have made similiar comments. One suggested solution was to raise the front height 1/2" above the rear. But this means that the blade would cut once at the front and again at the rear. Seems like a way to increase the mowers workload.

4) The top speed of this mower is slightly over 4 Miles Per Hour -- a pretty good hustle while turning. Since the ground speed is controled hydrostatically, the speed can be moderated easily by partially relasing the drive bar as you are mowing. (There is a separate lever that sets the maximum speed).

5) It is very nice to have a throttle control. The Toro units have eliminated this control. With the Honda you can easily set the engine to a very quiet idle while you leave the mower unattended to move items or to just move the mower area you want to mow.

Harry Wild - You posted "RE: Honda HRM215 Lawn Mower Wheel Problem clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Posted by harry_wild (My Page) on Tue, Jun 19, 07 at 4:24

Just to update you on my progress - it done! Here is the solution for me that made it work. The small socket/gear does not have to face the same way/direction as the other side of the wheel. I did make some minor mistakes in that I one side of the axle is shorter/longer then the other side. But it works and that all that counts!
Here is my repair below:

I installed a new pivot arm on the right side and on the left side I replaced the bushings on the left pivot arm and save myself $15.00. It was much easier know how the right side went on and off. It is really easy to do!

The wheels move much easier now. When it is in self-propelled; it seem faster too! I am very happy! I think I saved myself around $120-$150 in labor charges!

In summary, the mower operates like new! The bushings really made a big impact on the drivable of the mower!!
I am very happy that it works that nicely after the repair. New tires are nice too!

Thanks you all for your replies! It keep me going; hunting for knowledge to make it work!"

What/where are the pilot bushings on the lawnmower? Do you have any pictures? My HRR2162TDA rear wheels intermittantly lock up and turning is impossible without lifting mower rear up.

Jon

Thanks Bill kapaun!! That is a nice parts website! (Hayward)

I am having the same problem with the right wheel
I pulled the gear off and found that the
spring and key were missing. I got the
parts form the local dealer.
The problem I have I cant figure out for the
life of me how to put the gear back
on the axle with the Ratchet key and ratchet
spring. It just will not go back on.

Can anyone help with some pointers on how to do this?

Thanks,

I have the same wheel problem and was just speaking with my associate who coincidently has the same problem which prompted me to Google the issue. This is clearly a problem that is inherent with the Honda lawnmower and should probably be part of recall. I had the problem within a year of the purchase and have now had to bring it in twice for repair. The last time they wanted to charge me $240.00. I told them forget it. I was using the mower as is. The self propel now does not work and the mower is going to the junk yard. So much for the high quality associated with Honda!

The wheel issue sucks, I have the same problem, but overall Honda is and always will be associated with high quality. Ive owned my Honda Commercial mower for 10 years and it still runs super strong and starts first pull even after sitting all winter. But they cant rest on their laurels and parts are expensive. I actually have moved to an Ariens mower now as my primary mower, as it is way lighter than the 120 lb Honda. Was skeptical of a Briggs engine but so far its been a great machine.