How to remove MTD garden tractor front wheels?

[pdp11tech]

I need to fix a leak in one of my 11-year-old MTD garden tractor's front tires. Anyone know how to remove the front wheels on this thing? These are 6" tubeless type, and the outside of the wheel has a loose-fitting black-plastic cap on the axle that wobbles around but there's no obvious way to remove it. I don't want to force (break) anything! Thanks for any help with this...

[glyford]

Go ahead and force, it's a snap cap onto a large washer. I usually use a large pair of channel locks and tilt it sideways (grip over the top and just lift on the handles), though I am sure that there are better ways to do this. Once off, you will see an E-clip, which can be pried off with a regular screwdriver (hold a rag over it while you do in case it decides to go flying), then the whole mess just slides off. Keep track of which washers go where so it will go back together, and use plenty of grease. You can usually squeeze the E-clip back on with pliers once it's lined up with its groove. If it's not a greasable hub consider drilling and tapping it for a grease fitting while you have it off (though if it's 11 years old it may be too late for that).

--Glenn Lyford

[Srgnt Billko]

And tubeless or not, I put tubes in them when they have trouble holding air. Cheap tubes (3 or 4 $) and that's the end of it. Otherwise the tire will be on and off every few months. BTW, the local place where I but auto & truck tires volunteered to put the tubes in free (I supply the tubes). I tip them $5 for their coffee kitty.

[Tomes]

I second the thought on tubes when the tires get ornery. Just put one in a cart trailer tire - I would be an acre away and then notice it was flat.... I have them in about half my tractor and trailer tires so far. My JD dealer just charges me for the price of the tube.

Also I usually tap the E-clip back in with whatever I have nearby that is hard - usually a wrench end or something. Tomes