It looks like alot of work to do though. Did you remove the auger assy to do it? Did you have to undo the rusty set screws holding the impeller on?
Well, my machine is a 1976 Bolens so YMMV, but I took off the 4 bolts that hold the chute, and the cotter pin in the chute adjuster- and set it all aside.
I pre-drilled the metal strap. [I used 1/8 x 3/4 soft steel] Cut the rubber with a sheetrock knife lubricated with pb blaster- water might work just as good-- but *some* lube is the key.
Then I brought up the first vane and vice-gripped a rubber in place with the metal strap attached. The vice grip serves as a stop so the vane doesn't turn. Drilled a hole with my newly purchased 1/4 by 6" drill bit. [with a drop or two of cutting oil it gobbled up the vane like butter.] Put the bolt in- I used 1/4-20 bolts and nylon locknuts. Repeated 2 more times. On the Bolens the vane has a 90degree bend in the front, so I had to change position and drill the 4th hole from a different angle with a 12" bit.
Bolted one in- and burned it in. I was surprised at how smooth this thing ran with just one. I'm sure that for an extended period it would eat the bearings, but to burn it in it worked fine. I took that piece back out and used it as a pattern for the next three. Repeated the install & burn in process on each rubber.
I am slower than slow, and I doubt I had 3 hours invested from the time I got home with the locknuts and long drill bits to when I attacked my first snowbank.
I should take the chute off and take some pictures of how they look after their first hour of use- and see if they change much season to season.
Jim
[BTW- for $30 I almost feel guilty for not buying the kit from Clarence at http://smllengns.tripod.com/ , but I had those paddles staring at me asking to be recycled- and we had a snowstorm on its way. . .]
