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

I've got a 3 year old Ariens 8524 that's been used a whopping 4 or 5 times, maybe 2 hours total machine time.  Needless to say, we haven't had much snow in the past couple years!

It starts and runs great.  Auger works great.  But it wouldn't go forward.  I removed the plastic belt cover, and sure enough the belt had slipped off.  I managed to get it back on, and it will run in reverse but not in forward.  After tipping the machine forward and removing the bottom cover, I found the problem.  The pulley that the drive belt attaches to is loose and wobbles.  Looks like it's going to be a big pain in the arse to remove everything to get it out of there. 

I'm guessing a bad bushing.  Anyone have any advice or ideas?  Anyone had similar problems with their Ariens snowblower?