OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Four Stroke Lawn Mower Frames Rover/MTD wheel bearing washers?

My old 1980s era Rover 200 ES XL mower has the standard 1/2" push clips to hold on the wheels, (sometimes called Starlocks or Speed clips). But it also has a thin 1/2" shim washer that sits behind this push clip. I believe the original part No is MTD 736-05009.

Without it, the wheels will not turn, because the push clip forces the wheel bearing too close against the wheel. The bearings protrude a bit, so the washer is obviously needed to keep a short space between the rotating part of the bearing and the wheel. I have two mowers of that vintage and all eight wheels have that additional flat washer, which tells me they must have come from the factory that way. The problem is the push clips are so difficult to remove, the washers often get bent out of shape in the process.

I have been unable to purchase that original part number except from the UK. Of course the push on clips can be purchased everywhere. I am wondering if some standard 1/2" I.D. washers might do the job? The problem is a lot of the ones on the market are a bit too thick. The originals are a bit less than a mm thick at a guess. The outside diameter of the washers is 1" and inside diameter 1/2", but it might not matter if the O.D. is 3/4" or 7/8". They are a thin washer and black in colour (anodized?).

Can anyone suggest a suitable replacement?

I find wave washers very good in this situation because of the wave they help stop any slop in the axel/bearing. They are thin and have a small O/D which allows them to clear the outer cage on the bearing. Just have to hunt around for them on the internet

Thanks Norm, I was wondering about wave washers too. If they are a bit too thin, I guess I could always use two or three?

Even though the material in the washers is thin, by the time you take into account the wave they take up about 3mm and you can squash them down to whatever you need

Hi VM and Norm,

If you search eBay for " wave washers crinkle washers " there are hundreds or more.

A Google search for mower wave washers crinkle washers sale will also work.

I don't usually ever damage the wave washers as I just lever the retaining clips ( star lock washer clip) with a big screw driver sometimes the plastic gets a little deformed around where the cap clips on in the centre but that straightens out again with pliers.

Cheers
Max.

Well I try again the MTD736-05009 is the Rover A373109 curved washer so try searching that part number. It came up under ODK website for one place.

A373109 Washer

Many thanks. I guess it should be stated that A373109 washer available on ODK is a suitable replacement part. The original MTD part is in fact a flat washer, described as such on the parts diagrams for various MTD frames, for example MTD014115 and MTD014574. It fits snugly between the wheel and the bearing on MTD frames. I have since found a small supply of genuine washers in Australia and have cleaned out the sole stockist who had them.