Thanks for posting this video. Saved me from having to wait for a repair shop. I have an HYA version and was able to do the replacement without taking out the transmission. Once I disassembled the mower to the 12:00 minute mark in your video, I used a pair of pliers to remove the clip and loop. Used a screwdriver to pry the housing enough to slide out the steel cable. Similar process to install the new cable. Took a few tries, but I was trying to avoid having to disassemble anything more.
Thanks for the excellent videos. The spring on my self propel cable broke less than a year after the dealer replaced the cable. I ordered the cable and with the help of you videos replaced the cable. Saved $90/hr labor plus a trip charge $60 to pickup and deliver our mower. I would have never attempted this repair without you video. Thank you.
Thanks for the video, which I just followed in order to replace the Drive Cable - all steps similar to your video except replacing the Drive Cable rather than the Shift Cable. Everything is apart & labeled and I ordered both cables - the mower is 15 years old.Only concern I have in putting it back together is re-attaching that heavy duty spring.
I didn't have to do any of that removal of the undercarriage. Just snaked the cable in and used some long needle nose pliers to get the new cable in place
Was that the drive cable you were able to do without removing the mulching assembly looks tight there but maybe possible. The blade clutch cable is very easy though.
@@erica7686 It was the drive cable. It wouldn't have been possible without my extra long needle nose pliers. ...If I had to take all that apart I would have also replaced the belt just because.
Thanks for this video. I have to replace this cable every year or two as I cut an acre of grass and I refer back to this video as a refresher every time. My suggestion would probably be to replace the blade clutch cable at the same time as it’s probably not too far from breaking as well and you have the same disassembly procedure for both.
Great video. You you really helped me out figuring out how to remove the undercarriage. I was able to easily replace the blade control cable thanks to your video.
At 3:50, the collar came out with the bolt, the collar on my HR217 TDA won't come out; it's in there fairly tight. Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated.
I have a HRX217HXA MAGA 1039448 and the cable that broke is a 54630-VJ7A-A0003 2723. I don't have the end that connects to the drive motor and your video stopped just before the cable connection, which I was really looking forward to. The Honda shop sent me a cable 54630 VH7 A04 1681W and I cannot figure out if it is the right one, since it is a different number but the update the cables all the time. Anyway, I can't figure out how it would connect the cable to the drive? Any help. I have photos if needed? Thanks!
Thanks for the video. I have a question, my transmission spring came off while mowing the lawn yesterday? Would have to remove all these parts just to re-attach the spring?
At the 8:31 mark i cannot get that piece off the shaft. Very seized and I applied some wd40 to hopefully get it off. Really want to save this lawnmower
I am confused about my install on a new shift cable for my Honda Harmony 2 HRR2162TDA. My install looks like yours but my new cable wont move. I tried it out of the package and it worked fine. I attached the Z bend to a black plastic whatever just like yours. The black plastic does not move . To me it appears to be stationary and not intended to move. Ive been all over You Tube and the owners manual. any suggestions? Thanks for your videos, really helped. Thank you, Ken Riley from San Angelo, Texas
Having same problem with mine but changed belt and sanded axle shaft but when I put it back together It does same thing. Not the key or gear backwards either! Help
No I did not remove the transmission. I shot another video called "Honda shift cable lost footage" which shows the retaining screw and washer. Thanks for the comment.
It should fix it. The cable changes the transmission angle slightly which adds or removes tension to the drive belt. There are no actual gears such as 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Good luck and thanks for watching and commenting!
All this isn't needed. With a needle nose pliers and forceps I was able to replace the cable working around the transmission without dismantling anything. It takes a little patience but it certainly is faster and easier that disassembling everything.
That depends on the shop. Where I live, small engine labor rates vary from $35.00 to $80.00 per hour. The reason I started this channel was to hopefully help people save some of that money. Thanks for watching.
Kinda dumb Honda doesn't use at least stainless hardware for that bolt inside the chute on that mulch deflector deal. I'm fixing an HRX217TDA and there's nothing left of that bolt. I have a new HRX217K6HZA and it's still the same design. Grass piles up in there all the time
Honda's ARE a unique company ! Everything is done the hard way - the most hidden way - the least intuitive way. That drive cable is unnecessarily temperamental & time consuming, IMO.
That's a lot of work and parts to take off just to replace the shift cable. My daughter is using one of these on her lawn and the shift cable is bad. I have decided I will never buy a Honda lawnmower. Shouldn't be that difficult to get to the transmission.
The wisest thing you can do is avoid these nightmares to repair , and the most expensive. The transmissions are good for 2 years if you're lucky. The only plus on them is the blade clutch and now some don't even have that, and still cost over $700. It is not possible to make a walk-behind lawnmower any more complicated than these things.
I've had many problems with my Honda mower. I would not recommend these mowers unless you are mechanically inclined. The engines are great and easy to start, but the rest of it is junk.
Agree . The engines are bullet proof . But no one could have made a walk behind lawnmower any more complicated . The Honda designers were working overtime in their hatred for repairmen. Have to work on these pieces of sh$t sometimes. The pieces of crap cost $800 dollars now and the junk transmissions are good for a couple years, then it's $300 to replace. I know a person that mows grass for money and he will only buy these junkers, but he's always complaining about some problem with it. Go figure.
I did this without removing any of these parts. None. Intelligence and fine motor skills. If you have this problem, look closely at it for a while. You'll figure it out.
It Is easy on some models. But I don't see how it's possible on the HRX217 TDA. Does your mower have the TDA suffix?....Very different from other Hrx 217 suffix models. On the TDA, the shrouds block everyrhing.
You are right although I don’t know about other models. Mine is the HRX 537. I ended up removing the near side back wheel although it’s not vital to do so. I threaded cable in through top hole on deck and poked the end to be attached over its location, I then looped some thread around the end of the bit that attaches on the lever and then shaped a piece of wire with a hook on it and pulled the cable towards me until it lined up with the lever and it all just fell into place. It did initially take 3 hours by trial and error and lots of yelling and thinking but it works in this model. The youtube vids show you but you have to remove so much which isn’t needed on this model
Thanks for posting this video. Saved me from having to wait for a repair shop. I have an HYA version and was able to do the replacement without taking out the transmission. Once I disassembled the mower to the 12:00 minute mark in your video, I used a pair of pliers to remove the clip and loop. Used a screwdriver to pry the housing enough to slide out the steel cable. Similar process to install the new cable. Took a few tries, but I was trying to avoid having to disassemble anything more.
Thanks for the video, just did the same repair on my Honda and had no idea what I had to take apart to access it, this was super helpful!
Thanks for the excellent videos. The spring on my self propel cable broke less than a year after the dealer replaced the cable. I ordered the cable and with the help of you videos replaced the cable. Saved $90/hr labor plus a trip charge $60 to pickup and deliver our mower. I would have never attempted this repair without you video. Thank you.
Glad to help. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for the video, which I just followed in order to replace the Drive Cable - all steps similar to your video except replacing the Drive Cable rather than the Shift Cable. Everything is apart & labeled and I ordered both cables - the mower is 15 years old.Only concern I have in putting it back together is re-attaching that heavy duty spring.
I didn't have to do any of that removal of the undercarriage. Just snaked the cable in and used some long needle nose pliers to get the new cable in place
Was that the drive cable you were able to do without removing the mulching assembly looks tight there but maybe possible. The blade clutch cable is very easy though.
@@erica7686 It was the drive cable. It wouldn't have been possible without my extra long needle nose pliers. ...If I had to take all that apart I would have also replaced the belt just because.
Thanks for this video.
I have to replace this cable every year or two as I cut an acre of grass and I refer back to this video as a refresher every time.
My suggestion would probably be to replace the blade clutch cable at the same time as it’s probably not too far from breaking as well and you have the same disassembly procedure for both.
Glad it helped.
Great video. You you really helped me out figuring out how to remove the undercarriage. I was able to easily replace the blade control cable thanks to your video.
Glad I could help!
Thanks to you video I’m done with my mower 🎉 bravo!!!
Another Thank You for taking the time to produce this video! It saved me a lot time and frustration!
You're welcome!
At 3:50, the collar came out with the bolt, the collar on my HR217 TDA won't come out; it's in there fairly tight. Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated.
Make a small hook from a coat hanger and reach through and hook and pull.
I have a HRX217HXA MAGA 1039448 and the cable that broke is a 54630-VJ7A-A0003 2723. I don't have the end that connects to the drive motor and your video stopped just before the cable connection, which I was really looking forward to. The Honda shop sent me a cable 54630 VH7 A04 1681W and I cannot figure out if it is the right one, since it is a different number but the update the cables all the time. Anyway, I can't figure out how it would connect the cable to the drive? Any help. I have photos if needed? Thanks!
Check my videos for the "lost footage" segment I re filmed.
Thanks for the video. I have a question, my transmission spring came off while mowing the lawn yesterday? Would have to remove all these parts just to re-attach the spring?
Pretty much.
At the 8:31 mark i cannot get that piece off the shaft. Very seized and I applied some wd40 to hopefully get it off. Really want to save this lawnmower
I am confused about my install on a new shift cable for my Honda Harmony 2 HRR2162TDA. My install looks like yours but my new cable wont move. I tried it out of the package and it worked fine. I attached the Z bend to a black plastic whatever just like yours. The black plastic does not move . To me it appears to be stationary and not intended to move. Ive been all over You Tube and the owners manual.
any suggestions? Thanks for your videos, really helped. Thank you, Ken Riley from San Angelo, Texas
The Honda Harmony 2 HRR2162TDA is a different setup than the one in my video. Good luck. If I find any info I will let you know.
Would be nice to have a hint of how to get that transmission spring back on--what a pita….
Thank you very much for this detailed tutorial :) much appreciated.
Thanks for commenting and watching. I'm glad the video is helpful.
The bolt behind the wheel at the beginning of the video. No matter how long I turn it it will not come out. Any advice?
With the mower on it's side and the wheel removed, try to grab the captured nut from behind with pliers.
this video was very helpful. thanks a lot man
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Having same problem with mine but changed belt and sanded axle shaft but when I put it back together It does same thing. Not the key or gear backwards either! Help
Please send me an email with the details.
How did you get the frayed cable off the transmission? Do you have to remove the transmission?
No I did not remove the transmission. I shot another video called "Honda shift cable lost footage" which shows the retaining screw and washer. Thanks for the comment.
Mine is stuck in slow gear. Does this fix that problem too? Thanks!
It should fix it. The cable changes the transmission angle slightly which adds or removes tension to the drive belt. There are no actual gears such as 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Good luck and thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you
You're welcome
Great Job! Thank you so much:)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the video. Question: How old is your Honda Lawn Mower? Do you use it for your home or commercial?
Thanks!
All this isn't needed. With a needle nose pliers and forceps I was able to replace the cable working around the transmission without dismantling anything. It takes a little patience but it certainly is faster and easier that disassembling everything.
Glad that worked well for you. Thanks for watching!
yea agreed... no need for all this lol
Where did you use the forceps. I’m really not trying to go through so this just to replace that cable.
I am having mine replaced at a lawn mower shop. This looks like it's gonna cost me a lot.
That depends on the shop. Where I live, small engine labor rates vary from $35.00 to $80.00 per hour. The reason I started this channel was to hopefully help people save some of that money. Thanks for watching.
Kinda dumb Honda doesn't use at least stainless hardware for that bolt inside the chute on that mulch deflector deal. I'm fixing an HRX217TDA and there's nothing left of that bolt.
I have a new HRX217K6HZA and it's still the same design. Grass piles up in there all the time
Honda's ARE a unique company ! Everything is done the hard way - the most hidden way - the least intuitive way. That drive cable is unnecessarily temperamental & time consuming, IMO.
That's a lot of work and parts to take off just to replace the shift cable. My daughter is using one of these on her lawn and the shift cable is bad. I have decided I will never buy a Honda lawnmower. Shouldn't be that difficult to get to the transmission.
The wisest thing you can do is avoid these nightmares to repair , and the most expensive. The transmissions are good for 2 years if you're lucky. The only plus on them is the blade clutch and now some don't even have that, and still cost over $700. It is not possible to make a walk-behind lawnmower any more complicated than these things.
Good show, but I’m afraid that’s over my head thanks anyway.
I've had many problems with my Honda mower. I would not recommend these mowers unless you are mechanically inclined. The engines are great and easy to start, but the rest of it is junk.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Agree . The engines are bullet proof . But no one could have made a walk behind lawnmower any more complicated . The Honda designers were working overtime in their hatred for repairmen. Have to work on these pieces of sh$t sometimes. The pieces of crap cost $800 dollars now and the junk transmissions are good for a couple years, then it's $300 to replace. I know a person that mows grass for money and he will only buy these junkers, but he's always complaining about some problem with it. Go figure.
I did this without removing any of these parts. None. Intelligence and fine motor skills. If you have this problem, look closely at it for a while. You'll figure it out.
It Is easy on some models. But I don't see how it's possible on the HRX217 TDA. Does your mower have the TDA suffix?....Very different from other Hrx 217 suffix models. On the TDA, the shrouds block everyrhing.
You are right although I don’t know about other models. Mine is the HRX 537. I ended up removing the near side back wheel although it’s not vital to do so. I threaded cable in through top hole on deck and poked the end to be attached over its location, I then looped some thread around the end of the bit that attaches on the lever and then shaped a piece of wire with a hook on it and pulled the cable towards me until it lined up with the lever and it all just fell into place. It did initially take 3 hours by trial and error and lots of yelling and thinking but it works in this model. The youtube vids show you but you have to remove so much which isn’t needed on this model