How To Fix Wobbly Lawn Mower Wheels

Updated date:

Jul 6, 2021

How to Fix a Lawn Mower Handle Yourself

Breakage tends to occur in the joints that connect the upper and lower parts of the handle. To avoid damage in future mowers, make sure that the connector screws are properly tightened before mowing.

Lawn Mower Handle Assessment

In the case of lawn mowers, one of the main non-engine-based malfunctions is a broken handle resulting from rust or overuse. It is a good idea to assess any damage to the lower part of your handle where it connects to the mower body, as the metal around this area tends to strain due to the increased pressure exerted by the opposite (unbroken) arm. If the handle pops easily out of the grooves at the bottom, buy an extra set of pipe clamps to cinch them up to the main body of your mower.

Note: This will make it difficult to adjust the height of your handle, so be sure that it is in a comfortable setting before tightening the clamps.

Supplies You'll Need

3' aluminum rod (make sure its diameter is smaller than the lawnmower's handle, since it needs to fit inside the hollow interior)
Hacksaw
Weatherproof duct tape
Wrench
Flathead screwdriver
Four 1-1/4'' pipe clamps

How to Use Pipe Clamps

These nifty little devices work wonders for basic home repairs, but they can be a little tricky if you have never used them before. The screw used to tighten the clamp around a pipe (or lawn mower in this case) does not detach from the metal band; it stays in place and incrementally tightens or loosens depending on the direction it is turning. However, the metal band will loosen to the point of detaching from the adjustment mechanism if you cannot slip the attached clamp onto your handle. From my experience, the best way to tighten a pipe clamp is to start with a flathead screwdriver and then switch to a wrench once it begins to tighten.

Shove the rod as far as it will go into the lower half of the handle. (Fig 3)

Step 1: Make the Splint

Follow these 5 steps to make a splint successfully.

First, you will need to measure and cut the aluminum rod to span the length of the broken area of the handle. To do this, shove the rod as far as it will go into the lower half of the handle (Fig 3).
Make sure it is in all the way by taking a hammer or rubber mallet and gently tapping the protruding tip of the aluminum rod. This will ensure that the rod will not slip down into the bottom of the handle and past the fractured area, thus rendering your repair useless.
Once the rod is in as far as it will go, mark your cut area 3-4 inches past the break into the upper part of the handle (Fig. 4).
Take the rod out of the handle, make your cut, and then replace it using the previous method.
Insert into the upper half of the handle when complete.

Once the rod is in as far as it will go, mark your cut area 3-4 inches past the break into the upper part of the handle. (Fig. 4)

Step 2: Cinch It Up

Now that your aluminum rod is in place, you will need to secure the two sections of the handle surrounding the rod by pushing them as close together as possible and wrapping the entire area in duct tape. It might be best to get another person to either do the wrapping or hold the pieces in place to avoid a sloppy taping job.

With the duct tape wrapped around the damaged area, your mower handle should now feel secure; however, don't skip the pipe clamps as the tape will wear down soon without some additional support. Attach two of your pipe clamps on either side of the break and make sure they are close enough to wrap around the aluminum rod underneath the metal exterior of the handle.

Step 3: Adjustable the Connectors

With your main break repaired, push the mower around for a few minutes to ensure that everything is functioning properly. As I mentioned previously, double-check the connections at the lower part of your handle where it meets the mower's body. If this area is strained or slipping out of the grooves, simply wrap another pipe clamp around the handle and the body by inserting it through one of the adjoining slots (Fig 6).

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.