How to Easily Remove Riding Lawn Mower Dust Caps

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Today we'll be working on an Ariens Riding Lawn Mower.
My customer complained that he was tired of having to fill these tires with air, every time he cut grass. So he asked that we install inner tubes into the front tires.
In order to remove the front wheels though, I need to remove the dust caps on the front axles 1st.
Once the dust caps are removed, I can pop out the E-clip and remove the wheel.
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[@douglasnielsen4312]

Bonus bonus! Thanks. Buddy, now I know what to do with all those extra paint can openers. I've got in 5 gallon. Buckets all over my shop! The small mysteries of life are being solved one at a time. Thanks again!

[@Captainkirk88410]

Great tips on getting that cap off. I used a claw on the back end of my hammer.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

The whole time I was thinking, “Hot air gun!” Then you got it out! Phew! I use my hot air gun a lot so I’ve got a couple tips for you. Heat up before removing to make it even easier and when you’re heating to reinstall the dust caps direct the hot air straight down into the center of the dust cap upside down. This way it heats up more evenly around the entire cap and goes even faster. Just make sure to start out with a lower temperature until you see how much heat it takes to soften them up so they become flexible and stretchy. 👍🔧🧰

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yea the heat gun works wonders on these, thanks for watching!

[@waynestefinashen239]

Kind of surprised i did not see this tool being used on Steve's Small Engine Saloon since it has a bottle opener on one end. Hope your reading this Steve. Just another great tip idea good job keep it up your doing an excellent job.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@thekingsilverado8419]

Y'all have to see my video on small engine Wine and Whiskey bottle exorcisms. Dr Mabogo is the best at it since he came back from Africa he even has rattles and chicken bones for them problem child Kohler engines... I bet Steve don't have any of them do-dads..

[@gvjester]

Ahh, you never fail to impress me! I've tried a lot tools today trying to get these bloody hard plastic bastards off!! Your video was just perfect! Thank you so much!! 😁😁

[@AStanton1966]

Thanks for posting this tip. I have a 10-year old Husqvarna riding mower and decided to change the front tires due to baldness. I destroyed one dust cap when I removed it. So I decided to swap out the old for new ones. Each new cap was about $6.00 apiece.

[@Big_Johns]

Jake I use the heat gun often but never thought about the paint opener hack, thanks for the great tip brother. 🙂👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@BuckMeister.]

You can also soften the rubber axle covers with very hot water or in a cup of water inside a microwave oven for around 30 seconds or until boiling.

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

I'm late to this picnic but I use a heat gun to soften the dust cap, then pry it off. Absent a hairdryer or heat gun, this is a good idea. Paint can openers are free at a good paint store.

[@ronpoletti4401]

Exactly the info I needed. Thanks for the short video. 👍

[@user-gg7jd5jt4b]

Thanks for the video was working on a pull behind wagon changing the tires. Took the first one off with vice grips lucky I didnt tear it. Then watched your video and it made it so much easier. I used the regular straight paint can opener to get it loose. Then I used the hair dryer to heat up the cap then I used a claw hammer slightly turned to the side to get the edge of the claw under the edge of the cap with the paint can opener on other side then I could rock it right off. Had to heat the cap twice but like I said it was over 20 yrs old. Thanks for the video and the tips works great.

[@abgates56]

I bent a paint can opener I had and this is such a great tool for removing and also re-installing the dust caps. Thanks!

[@robertmailhos8159]

Great tip there Young Man 😎👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Robert!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@EliminatorPerformance 👍😎😎👍

[@argresh6295]

Both tips invaluable. Thanks!

[@patmac1134]

Great video, I've watched a few vids to learn, but you explained everything so much better and gave a few tips. I was ready to use my channel locks, but I'm off to Home Drippo to grab the paint tool. I also saw a comment here about heating the cap before removing it. Thanks for the clarity.

[@ChubbyButcher]

Nice tip EP.. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO .. ALWAYS LOVE WATCHING.. C.B

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks CB!

[@bigsonslawncare]

Man Jake where were you when I was tearing these things off left and right!🤣✔

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Lol yea they can be difficult to remove, thankfully those paint can openers are cheap!

[@Thepavlo6666]

should have watched this video before I got injured. From now on, I will look for videos before trying anything like that again! LOL

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikespain8655]

Good tips. Thanks for another good video.

[@charleslbradley5280]

Excellent information

[@steventhompson299]

Great tip. Looks like the paint can tool would work well getting the c clip off also.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes most likely, I'd use the straight one for that!

[@pastorlugo121]

Great idea! Thanks.

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Good tip. Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@lsbreaper]

Man I've been out here for 30 minutes trying to get a cap on can you make it look so freaking easy

[@gravelyman]

Very good tip. Most all the caps I come across are hardened. Good video 👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks gravely!

[@ksredsfan]

nice tip keep them coming always good to share to spare someone some frustration LOL

[@richardstell8099]

Thank you sir ! 😀

[@Candoit2]

Really good tip! Thank you!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonym6920]

Good tip, thanks! 👍👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@lowkey-god6666]

I literally popped the plastic cap off with a small crow bar in like 10 seconds. I also reused the plastic cap

[@lamarciaboudrias6527]

Fantastic!

[@josepharato5885]

Very nice Good to know

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks!

[@Turningwrenches85]

Very good idea to remove those dust caps I always just went for the heat gun to soften the rubber but then the risk of the rubber being to hot when taking it off from the thrust washer. But I do like the idea better of the paint can tool . I will have to try that. Thanks for the video E.P 🔧

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@EliminatorPerformance your welcome Jake

[@kjell-richardlvdal373]

The right tool for the Job is essential

[@vickihastings7520]

Thank you so much!!

[@temotu518]

Hot water helps for getting off and on if you don't have heat gun

[@k9under]

Going to try and make one of those tools with a old screwdriver.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Should do the trick, they work pretty good. Thanks for watching!

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Boy I will have to look around, my tire has slow leak. Good idea with greasing wheels. Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickbroerman9267]

Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome tip!!!!! Thank you....

[@johnstratton5637]

where did u buy the bent paint opener

[@calamarimatahari1008]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!❤

[@motoman5023]

Cool trick

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@henrymurawskibigdogrepair]

That’s what I use mate

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Nice!

[@anthonyiron4635]

I like the paint can tool tip. I could find other good used for this tool too. Pulling hoses off of barbs? Is there going to be a tire/tube change in our future?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

It's quite possible, I have tire changing machine but we broke it lol local shop charges $10 to install a tube, hard to beat

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? First time on your channel. This is a good tip and thanks for sharing. Take 'er easy!!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Going great, thanks for stopping by Grampie!

[@tombarnes1733]

Did you bend the opener yourself? If so how many degrees did you bend it? TIA - Thanks In Advance, Tom

[@jdub1922]

I can't find these for sale anywhere... Did you bend it yourself?

[@charlesmelton1035]

Where can one of the bent opener’s be purchased from? I check lowes and all I see is the regular openers.

[@waynestefinashen239]

Where are you located? This one originally came from a Home Hardware store and i believe it came with the paint we purchased along with stir sticks.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

This one says Canadian Tire, but I checked and all theirs are straight. It's possible we bent this one, because I've been using it for years and forget if it was like that or if we did it. The curve on the edge makes grabbing the dust cover easier, and the curved handle allows you to go into recessed wheels easier.

[@deancolbird2240]

We’re can I buy this curved paint opener?

[@waynestefinashen239]

This one came from Canadian Tire but not available anymore and it works great. If you have a torch and some 1/4 inch round bar you could easily fabricate one using a hammer like a blacksmith would do.

[@sandydunlap414]

How do you get the first one off?

[@bhinsch25]

Can you get replacement caps?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes just google craftsman riding mower wheel dust cap

[@colts93]

I did it.. used my hands . Worked just fine.. its only a dust cover

[@jackcollins2344]

Where do you find the curved paint can opener Jake?

[@jackcollins2344]

I can find one in my area in Ohio

[@EliminatorPerformance]

I believe this one was from Canadian tire, you may have to get one that's straight and bend it. I can't remember if we bought it like this, or I found it bent in my garage. I've been using it for so long

[@BryanPAllen]

@@jackcollins2344 what store Jack? Is it called a paint can opener or something slightly different?

[@jackcollins2344]

Home depot, it was a straight paint can opener, I bent it in my garage

[@BryanPAllen]

@@jackcollins2344 thanks. I have a couple of those but was having no luck finding a bent one.

[@petemaverick4538]

Should you put a lubricant on the dust cap to keep it pliable afterwards???🤷‍♂️

[@EliminatorPerformance]

I never have, usually they slide on and off easy enough with that tool and some heat!

[@knighthawk86855]

I use a heat gun to soften them for taking off, and putting on, but cool tool.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks KnightHawk!

[@samkaplitz9036]

I use an electric heat gun to soften them up first.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

"malleable" That's one of them $50 words

[@waynestefinashen239]

If you like that one i am sure you will like permeable eh?

[@NorthernChev]

...I used channels locks. Damaged it. And then found your video on how not to damage them.

[@kimmiecrackcorn]

I got mine off but I couldnt get one of them back on

[@billlovett4256]

Stens dust caps are 3$ , rip of off with channel locks throw it out and put a new one on. That's what we do.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Nothing wrong with these ones though lol #!and not everyone has a STENS account, or has access to parts like we do. Thanks for watching!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

I see. So that’s $12 for a set of four, plus shipping. So if you work on 4 tractors a day that’s $50+. How long does it take you to order, unpackage, stock, inventory, wait for shipping to arrive, etc? Do you actually recycle them or do they just get thrown in the trash to be either burned at the dump and go into our atmosphere or buried for future generations to clean up your mess? Welcome to the throwaway society, folks. Lazyass mechanic! Shame!

[@billlovett4256]

@@Rein_Ciarfella they get recycled and cheaper for the customer to do it that way. We don't pay shipping. Anyway that's business not laziness.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Bill Lovett Okay! 👍

[@jackimhoff6767]

This is crazy I just used my hand idk it was pretty easy

[@RJM_2023]

I used a Lisle 13120 Electrical Connector Separator.

[@davidbrennan5]

I use a torch to get them off.

[@waynestefinashen239]

Just gotta be careful you dont destroy them by overheating, have seen some guys burn them up.

[@davidbrennan5]

@@waynestefinashen239 it doesn't take much, small propane torch on low will soften the caps. I wear work gloves and pull them them right off.

[@stevenallen6245]

Small crowbar will get'em off also

[@jerryl6634]

You made my day by this footage. I almost lost my self confidence fighting with this ....... piece of plastic 😄. Now I see, I'm not the only one. Anyway, I won! (hairdryer + hammer with curved tip)

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Hey, Jake and Wayne! I just learned something today that would cause the same symptoms as a failing coil when its laminations are starting to come apart at operating temps and the engine shuts down. I thought about Arch’s Garage and those couple of coil testing videos he did. A spark plug that resistance tests fine when out of the engine but gets wonky and fails when it gets to temp. James Condon 3-year-old generator issue video. He finally put the plug in his vice and heated it to operating temp with a torch, then tested it. Sure enough, it was fine before heating but after heating resistance values were all over the map until it cooled down again. Have you ever seen this before? I wonder how many times people have swapped out coils but didn’t know this was what actually caused the issue and it still wasn’t solved with a good coil. 👍🔧🧰

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Haven't seen this before, but that's probably because I always replace spark plugs if there's a mower in for service. Also, I spark test plugs when the engine is cold. If I think I have a spark issue, I'll run it with the light up spark tester to see if spark gets weak before the plug, which would lead to heat soak issues in the coil. Then would check armature air gap, and if that checked out, move to testing the spark plug cap resistance. If all is to spec, replace coil.