Toro Lawn Mower Repair

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Toro Rear Wheel Drive Broken Drive Cable Emergency Repair

Just getting starting with the Saturday grass cutting chore....and bang, boing, snap....your

drive cable breaks

. It may take awhile before you figure out why your mower is running okay, but won't move forward as you push down on your

Toro Personal Pace Mower

handle.

(While you are waiting for the new parts!)

Sponsored Link

Most likely the end piece (A) just breaks off. It's a small piece that is crimped on the wire that is inside part of the cable. Don't even think about trying to patch with super glue or epoxy, i.e., it probably won't work (for very long if at all) and besides, a new complete cable is relatively cheap.

It could be that the inner wire (B) of the cable just snapped. It might be broken at the top (most likely), bottom or any where on the cable.

(Right click to enlarge)

Remember: this is suppose to be a temporary fix until you can get a replacement cable!

Order the part now before you start your temporary repair. The temporary fix may allow you to complete your mowing for today...or it may last for days or longer. But why take a chance?

Think about it: This cable can break in several different places that you cannot repair...even after you just fixed a different spot!

I have actually purchased and used these parts linked.

Toro recycler 22" self propelled lawn mower
20332 20332C 20333 20333C 20334 20334C 20337 20337HD 20340 20352 20363 20363T 20366 20366T 20372 20373 20374 20376 20955 20956 20958 20961 21762 21763 21863 21863T and more.

Amazon Links

The Fix

I tried wiring, rubber bands, clamps and other things, Everything slipped off and didn't hold up. Then I thought of using a plastic zip tie...but to hold the wire would be tough.

Method #1 If the wire is broken and no crimp is left

(Right click to enlarge)

Right click to enlarge)

Method #2 If a partial crimped end piece is still attached to the wire

If part of the end piece (like in B above) is still crimped to the wire, even if the curved section is broken off (which is the most likely case), then by using two (2) small zip ties you can effect a temporary repair.

Illustrations of the two zip ties wrapping around the partial crimp remaining on the wire and attaching to the traction lever (hole).

(Right click to enlarge)

(Right click to enlarge)

Then, simultaneously thread the second zip tie through the traction lever hole while tightening the first zip tie around the cable wire with some crimp left.

Make sure the zip tie catches the remaining crimp, not just the wire

Next, carefully thread a second zip tie through the loop of the first one.

Wrap one zip tie around (under) the remaining crimp piece, but don't tighten it yet.

Zip tie excess left on for illustration...you should clip it off!

(Right click to enlarge)

I have actually purchased and used these parts.

Amazon Links

Transmission (Ebay)

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Could be the drive belt is slipping or broken. Could be the wheel/plastic gear and or the pinion gears are worn. Maybe the transmission is damaged? But as you inspect the mower, you see a cable (looks like a piece of wire) is dangling from the handle.

If you actually do need any of these parts, you can find them listed here.

A end piece

B the inner wire part of the cable

Traction Control Cable for Toro

Disclosure

If enough wire is still left, you may be able to make a direct connection to the control handle (Amazon Link) by looping it through the traction lever hole (Amazon Link) E on the control handle lever. You can try moving the

Toro anchor cable clamp

D on the bar closer or farther by loosing the screw and then adjust to get some slack in the cable. Then make the connection that you see in illustration C.

If the wire is broken (like in B above) this might not work. You would have to provide a way of clamping the wire to the zip tie. This small steel wire rope cable clamp or an aluminum crimping loop sleeve (Amazon Links) could work, but unless you have one at your house, it would cost as much as a new cable. Maybe you have some similar clamps that would work or can purchase one at a local store. Here is an illustration to help conceptualize. C

Wheel/Plastic Gear

Pinion Gears

Photos and Illustrations