How to Rebuild a Craftsman Push Mower

Pull back the plastic or rubber sheath that covers the wires to the spark plug near the front of the mower's engine. Untwist the wires to reveal the spark plug.

Insert an appropriately sized socket over the spark plug and attach a socket driver. Check your Craftsman owner's manual to determine the spark plug size and the gap specification for a replacement. Ratchet the plug counterclockwise to remove it.

Remove the oil fill cap by turning it counterclockwise by hand. Place a deep metal or plastic pan next to the mower and raise it up on one side to pour out the engine oil through the fill spout. Continue tilting the mower as far as you can and hold it in place until no oil drips from the fill spout.

Set the mower back on its four wheels. Locate the bolts that hold the mower's engine cover in place. Remove them with the socket and driver, along with an extender, if necessary, to reach the bolts.

Detach the fuel lines by loosening their connections with a screwdriver and pulling them away from the carburetor. Keep another metal or plastic pan on hand to collect any fuel that spills out while rebuilding the mower.

Remove additional engine components with the appropriate sized sockets and drivers. Disassemble the components with visible connectors, such as bolt heads, first. Mark down the order in which you remove the parts and use your Craftsman owner's manual to identify and name each engine component.

Unscrew the bolts that hold the carburetor in place once you locate it. Submerge the carburetor in a plastic pail filled with mineral spirits. Place any other engine components that appear excessively dirty in another pail filled with mineral spirits.

Check the engine parts for signs of excessive wear or cracks. Refer to your Craftsman owner's manual to determine the names and part numbers of any damaged parts that will need to be replaced.

Tighten the bolts that hold the mower's handle frame together, either by hand or with a socket and driver, while the engine parts soak.

Remove the bolts that hold the wheels in place. Slide the wheels and washers off of the axles. Wipe them down with a lint-free cloth before sliding them back on in the proper order and tightening the bolts that hold them in place.

Screw a garden hose into the mower deck's washout fitting. Connect the other end of the hose to a spigot and turn it on to flush grass and debris out from the underside of the mower.

Remove the engine components from the mineral spirits and wipe them off with a lint-free cloth.

Reassemble the engine in the reverse order of removal and use your notes and the Craftsman owner's manual as guides.

Insert a fresh spark plug into the front of the engine and tighten it with the socket and driver. Twist the wiring over its head and slide the insulated tubing over the wiring.

Fill the mower with engine oil and gasoline before testing it.