How to Adjust Honda Mower Smart Drive Cable

If a Honda mower won't self propel, the Smart Drive cable may need to be adjusted to stop a slipping belt. HRR216VKA, HRR216VLA, HRR216VXA, HRR217VKA & HRR217VLA cable adjustment shown.
Link to Know How Now videos for this mower: • Lawn Mower Repair & Re...
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Know How Now, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Know How Now assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Know How Now recommends safe practices when working and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Know How Now, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Know How Now.

[@Know-How-Now]

FYI for everyone, there is a service bulletin dated March 2017, service bulletin #107. The bushings on the wheels on some models were undersized & cause the rear wheels to move backwards. Here are the model numbers that are affected: HRR216K9VKA serial numbers MZCG-8670001-9933580 HRR216K9VLA serial numbers MZCG-8670001-9933580 HRR216K9VYA serial numbers MZCG-8670001-9933580 The fix is to replace the adjuster arms & if under warranty it is a free repair. Here is a link to the document on a lawn mower forum, it also tells how to do the repair yourself: www.lawnmowerforum.com/showthread.php/42592-Honda-HRR-Models-Rear-Wheels-Locking-Up-When-Pulling-Backwards

[@susyclearwater1920]

I can't thank you enough.

[@Know-How-Now]

It's my pleasure to help, Susy.

[@christopherdahle9985]

Spot on. Solved the problem with less than two minutes work. My kid is disappointed though. He thought he was going to talk me into buying a riding mower.

[@joegomez4773]

for home use, or work?

[@christopherdahle9985]

@@joegomez4773 Could be. He took over my roto tiller and my snowblower, but if he wants a zeroturn mower, he's gonna have to figure out how to pay for it.

[@jaypetel245]

Excellent information! I was skeptical that it would work for my problem, but it was the perfect solution. No other video offered this clear and concise guidance. Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@dkanderson00]

Your fix was so easy to follow and spot on! My problem was that the mower back wheels locked up in reverse. The self propelled didn’t work either. Watching your video, I was able to fix both issues without a problem. I thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Great to hear that the adjustment solved your problem.

[@NSBlack_Stallion]

Great video, concise and professional. Plus the use of correct terminology confirms you know what you’re doing.

[@lgtablet2044]

These are about the clearest and easiest-to-follow instructions that I've ever come across for any project on KZbin. Thank you so much.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Thank you for watching the video and the compliment. Have a great day.

[@Thecelestial1]

Thanks! Took about 3 minutes and just eyeballed it. Thing is pulling like the day it came out of the box again. And I was thinking the belt was wore out lol! Not even close.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@Eddie-mh1rc]

After a whole day working on my lawn mower. I change the drive belt watching tens of videos. I finally came across your video after a comment on reddit had a link to it . 2 minutes later my problem was solved clear and straight to the point ....thank you.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Sorry to hear it took a while to find the answer to the problem.

[@jaggatorfan2534]

Mowing the lawn just became so much easier again thanks to your video. Great job and thank you so much.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@fernandorivera7029]

BEST HONDA PROPELL ADVICE I’VE FOUND. Thank you

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Fernando. Thanks for the compliment.

[@JollyGreen79]

What a fantastic, clear and precise how to DIY video! My mower got to a point it couldn't even climb the slightest uphill grade. Now I just barely push on the paddle and off it goes. I bought my mower new about seven years ago and forgot how fast it was! I expected the adjustment to be far more complex than that! Thanks buddy!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Happy mowing. lol.

[@amelialouis-ferdinand-ek2in]

OMG! It worked!!! Struggled with that lawn mower towards the end of last year and so far this year. Not sure why it worked, feel like it took 8 turns to lock the wheels and then 8 back for my model but it did! God Bless you!!

[@melaniemartin9861]

I can't thank you enough!! I followed your link at the end of the video on my 3-year-old HRX217VKAA (hoping the VKA and VKAA were similar) and it worked GREAT! Before, I had to push it up a hill even on maximum drive, now it will go uphill like a tank!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Happy mowing. There are a few other videos on the channel about this mower.

[@rtbull11]

You Rock!!! I purchased this mower new. I’m 6’5” and would have to almost jog if I pressed lever the all the way down. After having the mower serviced I noticed it wasn’t quite the same. This was driving me crazy. After applying test and doing your adjustments, it’s as good as new. Many thanks!!!

[@Know-How-Now]

It's my pleasure to help! Thank you for watching the video and taking the time to comment. It's always nice to hear from the people who watch the videos.

[@markjordan4994]

This video was of great assistance. My drive would not engage when I attempted to use my mower this year. Now it works fine. Two thumbs up for this video. Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Mark!

[@jayellis2939]

Had this problem last year and put off repairing since I didn't have any major hills. Will remedy right away. Thanks for your great tutorial 👍

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@fordcontour]

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I assumed something was broken on mine (HRR216VXA), and all it needed was an adjustment!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@crackedfoundation4324]

Thanks for this!! Thought I was going to have to take mine to the repair shop. So simple to repair/adjust.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Thank you for watching the video and taking the time to comment.

[@nathanwalsh3028]

Ma'am I just want to thank you very much for that video. That saved me looking in the owner's manual. Took me about 2 minutes to adjust my drive train. Back to normal and kicking ass. You're awesome sweetie!!! 💥💥💯

[@Know-How-Now]

It's my pleasure to help, Nathan. Happy mowing! lol.

[@arthanlin6848]

Great video! Thanks so much. Not sure how many turns I had to make (well over 15) to get the wheels to lock up but after backing off of that as you described (8 turns for mine), I need to pull out my track shoes to keep up! Beats the heck out of pushing that beast around. Mine was the Home Depot model (HRR2169VYA). Your help will make for a much more pleasant mowing season! Thanks again!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Art. It's my pleasure to help!

[@johnnyt8182]

Thanks so much. Got the mower back from the repair shop (in for a tuneup) and the rear drive didn't work any longer. This video & five minutes - done! Works like new.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@BenPumpiner]

Thank you! Worked perfectly. My wheels would freeze when the lever was fully engaged, so I just went four full turns and it’s back to new.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Ben.

[@forthefunofit5487]

Thank you thank you!! My mower was acting up and I found this video. My mower now works great thanks to this video. Two thumbs up to you sir.

[@Know-How-Now]

Glad it helped!

[@mikesurovik]

Excellent work on this video! I always prefer non-video repair guides because of all the extraneous junk but you're showing that a concise video is possible!

[@Know-How-Now]

Keep it short, that's what I aim to do. Have a great day.

[@brandonjones3715]

Very helpful video. Wish I had seen it before I spent $35 in parts and my morning replacing the belt and drive pulley on an 8 year old Honda I got from a relative. Turns out the cable was the main problem.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for taking the time to write the compliment, Brandon.

[@xabenito1]

Wow this really helped me... replaced the belt thinking that was my problem! Thank you ☺️

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Way to go on being resourceful and finding the solution to your problem.

[@williamperkins5684]

Problem solved because of your helpful video. Followed your directions on how to adjust the self propelled linkage and after testing the results, problem solved. I am grateful for avoiding all the hassles related to transferring the mower to the shop not to mention my wife being under the false impression I am handy at this sort of thing! 😊

[@Know-How-Now]

We won't tell wifey your secret! lol.

[@ogmont]

This is the best explanation on KZbin. Straight and to the point.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment. I recently added a video on how to troubleshoot self propel problems on this mower... if you should need it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHqQn5espr11qqssi=0crddyvugYt5va4Q

[@jbaljo1384]

This is an awesome video. My mower is now running GREAT. Thanks!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! It's always nice to hear that the videos have been helpful. Way to go on the successful repair!

[@nikex2197]

My Honda HRX217K5VKAA worked exactly bass ackwards from this video. Honda must have changed the internal linkage. Mine was pulling weakly, even on the highest speed setting. But when I "tightened" the drive cable per the video, it would not even move forward at all. I had to turn the adjuster in the opposite direction until the mower would barely move on the "low" speed setting. Did not count any turns. Now works great. No longer have to keep it on high speed. Video was well done.

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for taking the time to note your model is not adjusted the same as the one in the video. I try to make quality videos that don't waste your time.

[@markkaz4558]

Out of all the "Pro" videos. No one explained it better then you. Keep it up!

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment, Mark. I do my best to make quality videos that don't waste your time.

[@troyfuller3767]

Thanx a Million; Honda mowers did't exist when I went to the small engine mechanics trade school 45 years ago. U R a better teacher than our shop Instructor, who was always drunk when he got to work. I've learned more from U n a couple Hrs than I did n the school n a month.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching the video and the compliment.

[@chazloot2]

Awesome straightforward clear and useful directions. Thank you. My mower is working right.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Thanks for the compliment.

[@ospreymanlott7975]

Extremely clear and simple! Bravo!

[@patrickwatanabe8115]

Thanks so much! Easy to follow instructions. Saved me from getting it serviced professionally, and a lot of money !

[@Know-How-Now]

You're welcome!

[@chrismcc3423]

Thank you! This video is just what I needed! You helped me make my mower auto-pilot again - making me a happy girl! Many thanks for the simple clean guidance!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Happy mowing!

[@gregorysamson8202]

Great info on adjusting the travel cable on a Honda walk behind mower

[@keithwitherell958]

Thank you! You’re instructions worked like a charm!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Keith! Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment. I have other Honda Mower videos and will add more in the future. Here's a link to the current playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLvce66kQTjJQMsmkVC0GWRiFes7ac4RhD

[@peterlestrange9392]

Great demonstration and commentary

[@christakacs1681]

Thanks so much for this, so glad to have my Smart Drive and self propel working again 😀

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Happy mowing.

[@jeffouimet]

Thank you. I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Jeff.

[@cbudde]

Perfect how-to video. Fixed based on your example. Thanks so much!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Good to see the combination of the two videos got your mower moving again.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Thanks much. Very good video, still quite relevant. I like the lack of BS in the video. Nicely done.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Thanks for the compliment, I try to keep the videos short, but informative.

[@whalemusic1173]

Excellent, precise and quick explanation

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for the compliment, Chris.

[@bfsoccer6]

Thanks for this!. Fixed my HRX217 in 10 mins. It's zooming now

[@Know-How-Now]

Great! You are welcome.

[@rich-moporter]

Thanks very much for the video. This was more clear to me than the owner's manual.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@customerjourneypros]

Awesome video! Clear instructions and great camera work. Well done. Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Michael. Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment. I have some other Honda repair videos and will be adding more in the future. Here is a link to the playlist of current videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLvce66kQTjJQMsmkVC0GWRiFes7ac4RhD

[@customerjourneypros]

@@Know-How-Now Terrific. Thanks so much.

[@lxiong1077]

Thanks buddy. Got my self propelled going again!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@mikedonahue4769]

Your instructions worked perfectly - thank you!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You're welcome!

[@davidladd6266]

I’m glad I found this video, but it didn’t work exactly as proposed. I tightened the adjuster turn after turn but the wheels never locked up. I eventually ran out of adjuster thread. I re threaded the adjuster, threaded it back to where it was and then just tightened it until the wheel started to drag when the handles where pushed down and before they got all the way down.

[@joelfuller5825]

Your video's are so great thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Joel!

[@michaelhorne6004]

So glad I found this video! Honda should be paying you!

[@Lammdawg1]

Let's go! I thought my mower was kaput. So glad I found this 😊

[@RandyCapor]

Great video Thanks!!! Solved my problem and was very explanatory and well done

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, thanks for the compliment and for taking the time to comment. It's always nice to hear the video has been helpful.

[@timmensch3601]

Thanks for the video now my mower is like a rocket know at full speed your practically running!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@rickvan102]

Good job. Straight to the point.

[@keithwest6859]

Great teaching video! Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@davidh1108]

Thanks very much! I have the same mower and this fixed the Smart Drive.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, David!

[@sgtmac21]

THANKS! That worked as demonstrated!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Michael!

[@evanschiffli3582]

great video, fixed ours in no time! we have power again! thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Evan. It's my pleasure to help.

[@tom2877]

Good job on the video. Worked like a charm! 👍🏻

[@Know-How-Now]

Glad it helped!

[@ashtanga2000]

This is fantastic! Thank you!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! Have a great day.

[@meehanmama1]

Thank you… worked like a charm!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@Iforgot___________-________75]

Thank you. Worked. Simple and correct.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@MrDarkmudash]

Great video! Very helpful. Thanks

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, thank you for the compliment.

[@jeffsikes4246]

Thank You! I have self propelled again!!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Jeff!

[@ventureclearly4one]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Victor.

[@Skurtz007]

Very clear. Good job.

[@mauricioalcazar6419]

Awesome video thanks a lot for your professional help, God bless you.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, it's my pleasure to help.

[@hhattingh]

Wow this is great. Going yo see what else is on the channel

[@Know-How-Now]

Thanks for checking out the channel. I do my best to upload good quality videos.

[@durgaprasadgorti3201]

Nice explanation. Thank you

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@ilovecocoscurry]

YOU ARE MY HERO!!! THANK YOU!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Jeremy!

[@atxjax1]

Thanks. I just replaced the transmission in mine. My issue is that the mower now is hard to push forward. Almost like if the transmission is engaged at all times. I loosened the cable to max loose and its still hard to push forward

[@bobrovsergey]

Yeah! Thank a lot. One of the first videos I came across and got my mower running like a champ again. Very helpful.

[@Know-How-Now]

It's my pleasure to help. Way to go on the mower repair.

[@m.d.2256]

Spot on. Thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@jansafavi6844]

OMG, I did it! Thank you so much!

[@Know-How-Now]

Great job!

[@gregorysamson8202]

Great video thanks

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@jeffhoward2947]

just save me a bunch of money, lol! Thank you SO much sir. And God bless you for your kindness.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Jeff. It's my pleasure to help. Have a great day.

[@shazbool]

Great info, thanks!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome!

[@michaelcarley4014]

Thanks I'll give it a try.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome.

[@garygaden1130]

good job, thanks

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Gary.

[@johnmontana18]

Wish you would make video for HR214 adjustment

[@johnmontana18]

My HR214 is clattering a little, then a lot with propulsion engaged. I have changed the ratchets on the drive wheels. The drive wheels do lock if I pull it backwards. Is this clatter and stop and go relate to self propel or the belt?

[@tonym6920]

Very well done, thanks so much!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome! I do my best to keep the videos accurate & not too boring. lol! I also have a video showing how to change oil: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6bEooCYapybbsU Please consider supporting the channel & subscribe. It's free and it will allow me to add more videos.

[@626323909]

helped alot thanx

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Jose.

[@sniffum35]

Just an FYI in case anyone reads this. Mine did lock up before the smart control was vertical like 150ish degrees. I still did this procedure and it fixed the issue. So if anyone does that test and thinks this isn't the issue. Try it anyway.

[@billwilkison3722]

Sad to say I won't be keeping this HRX217VKA mower. Always wanted a Honda mower, so when my old Snapper self propelled was "in decline", I purchased the Honda from Lowes. It is unfortunate that Honda put such a terrible self propel system on such a nice machine. If you have a perfectly even lawn, and perfectly grass thickness to provide resistance, then the "Select Drive" is OK. However, if your yard has variable grass density, and goes up and down small inclines, then I would not recommend this mower. After hours spent trying to adjust the drive, I took it back thinking there was something wrong with it. It was very hard to control, regardless of where the "select dial" was set. In tall grass it slowed down, requiring different pressure on the paddle - in short grass, it would suddenly lurch forward REGARDLESS of where the dial was set - on concrete, at minimum dial setting, I had to run behind the machine. with the paddle fully depressed ....... at any setting, variable touch on the paddle would speed it up going down a slight incline, and if set to Min, with paddle fully depressed, it would stop, until dial was adjusted UP to pull it up the incline - then on the Decline at same setting it would run away with me. You have to CONSTANTLY make slightly more or slightly touch on the paddle to get constant speed - doing this while keeping the blade stop lever engaged was just annoying. So - if your lawn has variable grass density and slight inclines and declines (such as up and down a ditch bank), I wouldn't recommend this machine ........ and I drove myself crazy with this adjustment video trying to get a "constant" speed at one level of paddle depression ........ what a shame Honda messed up a great machine with a second rate propel system.

[@johnhernandez3134]

You're more knowledgeable than I am. I've noticed the belt is slipping, so this is how to fix that problem?

[@Know-How-Now]

Yes, adjusting the cable will increase the tension on the belt.

[@TheYellowman2000]

having just done this repair, i dont understand why the manual says to tighten and then to loosen 8 turns before setting the jam nut. i had to undo those last 8 turns to get it to work correctly.

[@thomasharris7696]

I repair Honda's. Good info.. I thought it was something like that.. I always grease and clean them.. The drives.. A lot of work.. But Thanks !!

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome, Thomas!

[@ah4furnishings348]

Awesome 😎

[@Nunya900]

Thank you for posting this! Your instructions were very clear and easy to follow. 👍🙂 Of course this is not at you (I just need to vent) but why the 🤬 would engineers design this to be such an involved process!? 🙄 Last lawnmower I had was a Murray (bought in 1999) and it had a belt drive design that never needed adjusting. It also had an auto-adjusting feature that compensated for belt wear. Why this lawnmower could not have been designed in a similar fashion is ridiculous! Honda could have designed this much better because doing it this way is like going back to the 1970s! SMH 😒

[@Know-How-Now]

No worries about venting. You are not the only one that thinks the process is involved and that the belt should auto-adjust. That's why I made the video, I had the hardest time following the process. My brother was given an almost brand new version of this mower that did not have the drive train. It belonged to an older women and it was too hard to for her to push. He eventually figured out that it was hard to push because there was some sort of bushing/washer in the wheels that apparently was in place so the mower would not easily roll backwards? He removed the part causing the drag and then the mower was easy to push. What were they thinking? Maybe a lawsuit because someone rolled over their foot? I've discovered that this mower also was made to be difficult to pull backwards.

[@Nunya900]

@@Know-How-Now You know you’re probably right; it possibly was a lawsuit or two that drove companies to design some things the way they did. Of course it can be aggravating for people like me and you who exercise good safe working habits as it’s another cumbersome thing we have to deal with. However for the rest of the “Darwin award” winners out there companies HAVE to do that to protect themselves! I can’t blame them either. 🤨

[@tristanmurto6145]

My mower feels brand new!

[@iviewthetube]

That was easy. Thanks.

[@Know-How-Now]

You are welcome. Have a great day... in our new weird world.

[@iviewthetube]

@@Know-How-Now What better things to do these days other than mow the lawn?

[@Know-How-Now]

No one has banned or canceled mowing the lawn around here yet. lol.

[@benjaminhernandez1916]

Why do we have to loosen it 8 turns after tightening it?

[@ptrsof]

I've got the opposite problem. Can't get the drive in neutral. The back wheels turn no matter the setting. Tried loosening the adjustment to the max and it didn't help.

[@shimsham5015]

Just saved me a trip to the mechanic.

[@ttnyny]

Very helpful instruction clip and very well produced too. I do have one clarifying question, however: When tightening the cable adjuster, am I doing so until the rear wheels lock up? Or until they START to lock up? You actually use both expressions in your presentation, the first at 2:28 and the second at 2:32. On my mower, there's a 2 or 3 turn difference between starting to lock up and locking up. Thanks.

[@Know-How-Now]

Do so until the wheels lock up. I could have worded it better. I was saying that it took 11 turns for the wheels to lock up.

[@profile428]

What if the wheels are already l;ocked up and the belt is very loose???@@Know-How-Now

[@Know-How-Now]

now have a video to troubleshoot transmission problems on this mower, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHqQn5espr11qqssi=026ytGGGlyeLwSHY

[@PimpingOutPain699]

Should The Smart Drive Be Pointed All The Way Down Or Up While Adjusting Cable?

[@Know-How-Now]

It doesn't matter, moving the position of the Smart Drive doesn't change the tension of the cable.

[@jmreire1]

Great Video, Thanks for posting. Are both rear wheels driven, or only one? Thanks

[@Know-How-Now]

Both rear wheels are drive wheels.

[@jmreire1]

@@Know-How-Now Thanks. I guess the pin in the shaft must have fallen out when I was resetting the height adjuster.. Back to the drawing board !!! 😀