Is it dangerous to fix a power lawn mower by straightening a bent shaft?
It's a push mower with a Tecumseh engine and the crank shaft seems to be OK. It's the part of the shaft that extends from the bottom of the engine (the blade is bolted to it) that's bent. I've been able to straighten it quite a bit, but I've heard that it might be dangerous to use the mower once that shaft has been bent. Safe or unsafe? Any advice appreciated!
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8 Responses to “Is it dangerous to fix a power lawn mower by straightening a bent shaft?”-
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Not dangerous…… if gotten back totally straight…. its ok.
I second the get a briggs notion….. hit almost anything with em and never bent one yet. Plus tecumsehs are bad for connecting rods throwing.
I wouldn’t use it. You’ll never get back to perfectly straight, and it will always have a vibration. The metal in the shaft has been stressed, and is probably weakened. If it goes, that could be a nasty projectile that would do a lot of damage. Take it to a repair shop, and have them replace the shaft. It’s still cheaper than buying a new mower.
If you take it to a shop as listed above, expect to pay $140.
Just go buy a new one. And get one with a Briggs &Stratton
No, do not attempt to straighten a bent shaft, its made from hardened steal and bending it twice will likely crack it.
You won’t get it straight and it will vibrate the engine apart.
Just replace the mower and and clean up your yard.
I would say dangerous. Unless you properly straighten it, it will be off balance, leading to funky operation, and eventually, it could possibly break catastrophically. Is there any way to replace the shaft cheaply???
I would guess the shaft would be weakened after bending and bending again to straighten,could be dangerous. Be very careful engine does not inadvertently start while you are probably turning shaft. Remove spark plug wire.
the only way to fix the crankshaft is to replace it and if your mower isn’t self propelled or under warranty, your beter off just buying a new one if you can’t do the job yourself. The crankshaft and labor in a shop will go over then what the unit is worth more then likely
I have a Briggs, and just bent the shaft. I’ve had this for only a year. My old one was a Tecumseh, and I had it for 10 years – mowed over rocks and all, never bent the shaft, just had to replace the blade a few times.