OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Victa frame spring

Hi, just wondering if there is an easy trick to replacing/installing the height level spring? I just put a screwdriver through my wrist unsuccessfully trying. I sort of figure the way I was doing it is wrong.

I haven't installed one of those specific springs, but there is a simple generic way to install tension springs. First, set the mower height so that spring has minimum stretch. Then, you need a simple but special tool to do the next bit. Take a piece of fairly thick steel wire, and attach a T handle to one end. Then bend a simple hook in the other end. Put the hook through the hook in one end of the big spring, and attach the other end of the big spring to the mower. Ensure you are wearing safety glasses at this point. Now lower the T handle until the spring is horizontal and reaching in the required direction. You might be sitting down with your feet against the nearest wheel of the mower at this point, to keep it from rolling toward you. Draw on the T handle until the hook in the end of the spring is beside its attachment point on the mower. With a glove on your other hand, push the end of the spring across onto its attachment point. Reduce the tension on the T handle until the spring-end is sitting properly on its attachment, then wriggle the end of your special tool to unhook it from the spring. Put the special tool away, and drag it out every time you have to stretch a tension spring to install it.

Thanks grumpy it worked well, much better than my unsafe way.

You're welcome Wayne, I hope you'll pass the trick on.

I'll close this thread.
Edit: Reopened by member's request. Please note: if you ever need to post to a locked thread, just PM a moderator and ask him to re-open it.

Ive found the easiest way generally is to remove the wheel the height lever is next too. Move the lever down past the lowest height setting, with the wheel off you can usually pull the lever out the little bit extra to go past the stop.

Put the spring in uncompressed, if you do have to stretch it it will not be much. Then move the lever back up and put the wheel back on.



This trick also works if you need to remove the relay bar between the front and rear wheels, un hook the spring and front axle, then move the control lever all the way up past the highest setting and you can get the relay bar off.
With the Victas you can buy the pin that the circlip goes on in the relay bar. Grind the back off the old one and punch or drill it out, then put the new one in and pein it over. Take care not to close up the circlip groove when you are doing it.

Bob