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

Hello all,
First time user here, be kind! :-) hopefully I can elaborate my problem with the Ariens 824 I have.   The last 3 times I have used it I have noticed that shifting from forward to reverse directions has been getting harder to do.  What I mean is the shift lever is very hard to move.

Today I noticed a new problem that seems related, if you have it in a low gear it barely moves without my helping it by pushing.  If I put it in a higher [faster] gear it moves but not as fast as it used too.

Is this a common problem that I can fix myself?  I am fairly handy, have replaced the belt that drives the stages, as well as changed the oil and plug etc.  It starts, runs, throws fine, it just does not go very good right now.


Model # 932100  serial #008177 purchased new around 2001.

thanks
ayb

This message was modified Feb 19, 2009 by allyourbase

AYB,

It sounds like your friction disc is the culprit and has seen better days and needs to be changed out. If you say your handy you'll be fine doing it yourself.Remove the bottom plate underneath the drive and take a look.Let us know what you see and we'll get you thru it.Best of luck,Allan

Thanks,
My local parts and service shop have it for $22 and it is in stock.  I will pick it up Saturday and let you know how it goes.  They said it is a little more in depth than a belt replacement but did not try to talk me out of it. 
He said the procedure for the 824 is to drain the gas, tip it forward on the chute, then remove the bottom cover to get at friction plate.  Will be looking for any grease fittings and places to oil while I'm in there.

Thanks again, great site!

ayb

Try adjusting the "Drive Adjustment" that what my Ariens manual calls it . The drive adjustment sets the distance between the friction disc and the drive.Yours may be too close to drive wheel making it hard to shift.

Your hex shaft likely needs some grease. Drop the pan and have a look. Should smooth out your shifting.

Thanks everyone,

I have replaced the friction disc and lubed the hex shaft as both were the problem.  Better PM on my part would have been in order for the hex shaft but at least now I know better.  The friction disk was touching metal in one spot so it was worn out.  Did quite a bit of cleaning and relubing of all moving parts, and everything seems to be fine now.

Hardest part was replacing the roll pins in the hex shaft, getting them lined up and started was easier if I partially removed the shaft below it that has the same chain attached first.

Again, thanks to all for this great resource.

ayb