Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): cant remove wheel on toro snowthrower, axle caps, cotter pin

Question
Hi, i have a broken solid wheel on an s200 Toro snowthrower--I got a new wheel, but I can't get the old wheel off--there's a solid "cap" over the end of the axle on both sides, can't find anything else holding it in--is it pressed in, and if so, how do I get it out? both "caps" are round and smooth, and I can't see if they're possibly threaded? Thanks for any help you can give me!  Shawn

Answer
if this is one of those small  2 cycle type snow throwers, the plastic type, which i believe you are talking about>  those caps are pressed on. and they are hard to get off. you have to pry them off or pull them off.  they are much like the old wagons. sears has them in the hardware section, they are called axle caps. they have like a spring ring inside them and are made that once pushed on or tapped > they can,t come off easy. another way to make it easier for next time is drill a small hole in axle shaft, and install a washer and cotter pin to hold new wheel on. that is easier to remove next time.  Once those caps your talking about are yanked off they will most cases not stay on again.
i hope this helps you.