Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Ok, here's the deal. I have an older ST824 in which the drive assembly finally went out. The drive spindle housing bolts stripped out due to the bearing seizing in the sleve. Now when i took it all apart, the shaft with bearing would slide by hand. I have been told a couple of different things. The first one being that i have to replace the whole assembly and it costs about 125-150.00 bucks. not a big deal. But do i really need it?I was wondering if i can direct bolt the assembly where the bolts stripped out of? this housing is aluminum and the threads were on the bolts.

Or does anyone have an st824 who knows their drive assembly is good and may want to sell it reasonably?

Thanks,

Ken