Like my buddy Lance, I found myself with a wheelbarrow with a bogus wheel.

"Just inflate it" you might say.  Sure, except for the fact the the valve stem had dry-rotted completely out of the hub.

So, time to change a wheel!

1. Put the barrow in a nice working position.

I just flipped it over, like a turtle on its back.

I found a shady spot in the back yard.

2. Assemble the tools you'll need.

Really, for my wheelbarrow (which is probably very much like yours), the entire process involves removing and re-installing a pair of 1/2" nuts.

For this you can either use a crescent wrench, or a 1/2" socket and driver.  I decided to use my socket and driver.

My socket driver is about 18" long, and does not ratchet.

3. Double-check your replacement wheel.

Yes, that's right.  Not all wheels are created equal.  Here's what the wrong wheel might look like, perched on top of your barrow.

The problem is the original wheel has an elongated tube through which the axle runs.  In the first image with this article, you can see the 3" flanges sticking out on either side of the hub.

These flanges keep the wheel centered.  Wheels without them unfortunately can wander 3-inches off-center either left or right.

So, chances are, you need to go back to the store now.

4. Remove the axle bracket on one side.

Attached to the wooden handles, one each side, is a metal bracket that holds the ends of the axle.  You only need to remove one.

Each nut should be followed by a locking washer, which keeps things from slowly unscrewing themselves.

5. Remove the axle/wheel assembly.

After removing the axle bracked on one side, the entire axle/wheel assemble should slide right out.

6. Slip the axle out of the old wheel, into the new.

Without any effort, the axle should transfer from the old wheel to the new.

7. Re-install the axle/wheel assembly.

Slide the reassembled axle/wheel unit under the bracket you did not remove.

8. Reattach the axle bracket.

Replace the bracket you removed.  Make sure the locking washer goes on before the nut.

Use your crescent wrench or socket and driver to tighten the nuts.

9. Enjoy your new barrow.

Wheel something around.

Extra Notes

For my replacement wheel, I opted for an intentionally airless tire.  The tire is solid rubber, and never needs inflation, cannot suffer a traumatic puncture, nor can the non-existent valve-stem rot out.